Sarcoidosis decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for sarcoidosis with tuberculosis of the right bronchial lymph node prior to January 1, 2000 was denied. His claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent from January 1, 2000 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current asthma condition is due to and aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis is not productive of pulmonary involvement with persistent symptoms requiring chronic low dose (maintenance) or intermittent corticosteroids, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if sarcoidosis was initially manifested during service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right eye pseudophakia, anterior uveitis from sarcoidosis and joint disease of each hand. The current evaluations are already at their maximum under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, including based on exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange). The evidence did not establish a link between the veteran's current diagnosis of sarcoidosis and his military service or any incident therein, particularly given the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, hypertension, COPD, gastroesophageal reflux, sarcoidosis cyst of the left adrenal gland, splenic cystic lesion, kidney cystic lesion, organomegaly, spinal cord tumor, spinal injury, foot drop, claw foot, hammertoes, gunshot wound residuals, and nephritis. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sarcoid meningitis due to new and material evidence submitted by Dr. Sullivan.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prurigo nodularis or sarcoid condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied her appeal to restore the prior 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and to determine if his current hemorrhoids are related to service. The claims will be remanded for further action.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of medical records.

The VA denied increased ratings for pulmonary and cardiac sarcoidosis, with the veteran receiving a 30 percent evaluation for both conditions.

The veteran's motion for revision of a decision based on CUE was dismissed without prejudice due to non-compliance with the pleading requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for sarcoidosis and service connection for residuals of a kidney stone, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations based on current symptomatology.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the impact of his sarcoidosis on his employability.

The Board found that the veteran's sarcoidosis did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 5, 2000. The effective date for TDIU was also denied as there was no increase in disability severity prior to September 5, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented. The RO previously denied the claim in August 1994 on the basis that there was no evidence showing causation or manifestation of sarcoidosis within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed to determine if the veteran's sarcoidosis is related to service, and therefore remanded the case for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of service-connected hypertension, sarcoidosis, and vascular headaches are being remanded due to the failure to obtain necessary medical records and provide proper VCAA notification.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing his claims for increased ratings and effective dates. The veteran must be provided with an SOC, including a VA Form 9 for filing a substantive appeal.