Sarcoidosis decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including knee, ankle, shoulder, and body cramps disorders that were not found to be related to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The cardiovascular disorders were also not granted as secondary to sarcoidosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and renal failure, finding no evidence to support a direct relationship with his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for variously diagnosed skin disorder, TMJ dysfunction, sleep apnea syndrome, respiratory disorder, and PTSD. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining complete results of pulmonary function tests and chest imaging studies. The issue will be readjudicated with consideration of both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date for his service-connected unspecified pneumoconiosis, with a rating of 30 percent since July 23, 1993.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, claimed as fatigue and stiffness of the joints of the hands, fingers, and legs, is being remanded due to a need for additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the appellant's request for an increased evaluation for sarcoidosis and has also determined that he did not timely appeal his denial of service connection for tinnitus, colon polyps, a urinary disorder, bleeding, arthritis, and muscle pain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral arm weakness is not etiologically related to his service-connected sarcoidosis, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the claims for an increased evaluation of a duodenal ulcer and service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support the presence or aggravation of these conditions during service.

The veteran's service-connected gunshot wounds and sarcoidosis have been evaluated, with the sarcoidosis receiving a total (100%) evaluation.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of the March 2005 decision denying an earlier effective date for service connection for sarcoidosis due to insufficient arguments and failure to comply with regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and is now remanding the issue of service connection for asthma, which may be related to the veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and need for further medical examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered with consideration of all applicable law and regulations, including presumptions of soundness and aggravation.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a 100% to a 30% rating for the veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis was proper, as his condition improved and he no longer had active disease.

The veteran's service-connected sarcoid arthropathy is characterized by arthralgia of the right shoulder and hips, with mild patellofemoral knee pain. The VA has granted a 10 percent evaluation for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and extraschedular evaluations for sarcoidosis were denied. The claim to reopen his depressive disorder was granted, but the service connection aspect remains unresolved.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO before a traveling Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case due to unsuccessful searches for VA medical records and failure to comply with previous instructions. The appellant must provide any pertinent evidence in his possession, and additional VA examinations or medical opinions may be necessary before a decision can be made.