Sarcoidosis decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim of service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material.

The Board has confirmed and continued a noncompensable rating for the veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. After the veteran's testimony at a March 2000 RO hearing, a June 2000 rating action increased the rating to 60 percent.

The veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is granted, and the appeal with respect to this issue is dismissed. The case is remanded for scheduling a hearing before the RO.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the March 1981 decision which failed to address the propriety of reducing the veteran's total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability. The motion is granted, restoring the veteran's entitlement.

The Board has determined that there is a need for further development of the veteran's claim, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA respiratory examination to determine the severity of his sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected blindness of the left eye does not warrant a rating greater than 30 percent, as his visual acuity in the right eye is 20/40 and he does not have any visual field loss.

The veteran's sarcoidosis is currently rated at 60 percent effective October 26, 1998. The claim for a higher evaluation remains denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the law regarding veterans' claims assistance, and because of ambiguity in the May 1998 VA examination report regarding the etiology of the veteran's sarcoidosis.

The Board granted a 100% disability rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis with arthralgia from December 15, 1998, and denied secondary service connection for spondylolysis of the L-5 vertebra.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis (with lung, skin, and eye manifestations) claimed as due to undiagnosed illness from service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War, and for bilateral inguinal hernias.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for sarcoidosis and related conditions were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.