Sarcoidosis decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for sarcoidosis, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the results of his pulmonary function tests.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis, effective from February 6, 1986. The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for sarcoidosis was granted, with a current evaluation of 60 percent and effective from October 7, 2000.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, respiratory disability including sarcoidosis, joint pain, skin condition, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or onset within one year of separation.

The veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from December 1994. The evaluation for the thoracic spine wedging remains unchanged as it does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The March 1994 rating decision did not grant service connection for sarcoidosis, Raynaud's disease, or urticaria due to the absence of a diagnosis at that time. The appellant argues that her husband had symptoms indicative of these conditions prior to his death in 1998.

The veteran's sarcoidosis was granted a 60% disability rating as of June 8, 1998. The RO denied service connection for hypertension on secondary basis and the February 1992 decision denying lung condition was not found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence, including a VA pulmonary examination and review of medical records to determine if an increased rating is warranted for sarcoidosis. The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, liver condition, stomach condition, neurological condition, and skin condition (claimed as cysts and nodules) are also on appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, PTSD, urinary tract disorders, sarcoidosis, and scars. The reasons are not provided in this text.

The Board has remanded the case due to a significant change in the law regarding service connection claims and the need for additional verification of the veteran's National Guard service.

The VA has granted a combined 10 percent evaluation for sarcoidosis with cutaneous involvement and tinea pedis and tinea versicolor, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis does not warrant a compensable rating, as his condition is currently stable and does not require any treatment or medication.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis but assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The veteran is seeking an initial compensable evaluation.

The veteran's hepatitis C with portal fibrosis and cirrhosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis with dry eyes, and other service-connected conditions are all rated at the maximum available disability rating. The effective date for the grant of service connection is May 7, 1992.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation for chronic fatigue secondary to sarcoidosis and has found the veteran eligible for an annual clothing allowance. The claim of entitlement to earlier effective date for a 50 percent evaluation for depression and fatigue is remanded due to outstanding VA records. The claim concerning greater evaluation of an eye disability due to sarcoidosis is also remanded.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis with postoperative scars, thoracotomy, and pulmonary fibrosis warrants a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for this condition.

The Board has ordered the case remanded due to issues regarding the veteran's disability rating for cholelithiasis. The issue is related to whether a separate rating should be assigned for this condition, which was previously combined with sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis, which was previously denied in April 1995. The veteran's request for a personal hearing before the Board is noted but not addressed as it pertains to an earlier decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis and granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, but denied the reopening of his previous claims.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for service-connected sarcoidosis has been granted with a 60 percent rating effective November 6, 1998. The appeal is dismissed as the issue of entitlement to a higher evaluation is no longer pending.