Sarcoidosis decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary disability, including sarcoidosis, is denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Board found that the reduction in the evaluation for sarcoidosis from 100 to 30 percent, effective July 1, 1997, was proper based on improvement shown by medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis disability increased in severity as of August 31, 1999, warranting a 30 percent rating. The effective date for this increase is set at August 31, 1999.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation of pulmonary sarcoidosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and proper notice under the VCAA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for open angle glaucoma and pulmonary sarcoidosis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any pertinent time.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis did not begin during his active military service and there is insufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology. Therefore, service connection for sarcoidosis is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and finds that it is due to service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for sarcoidosis and squamous cell carcinoma, including any presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including sarcoidosis, bilateral hearing loss, and a sinus disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his service-connected gastrointestinal involvement associated with sarcoidosis has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in any of these evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and she received a noncompensable rating. The RO later increased her disability rating to 10 percent from the date of service connection until July 9, 2004. After that date, she received separate ratings of 20 percent each for chronic cervical and thoracic strain effective February 2, 2006.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against granting an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis under either potentially applicable diagnostic code. The veteran has not been found to have cor pulmonale, sarcoid-related heart disease or progressive pulmonary disease so as to warrant a 100 percent rating under DC 6846.

The Board denied an increased rating for sarcoidosis with tuberculosis of the right bronchial lymph node from January 1, 2000 and TDIU due to the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board finds no new evidence that would support reopening the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for recurrent dislocation of left (minor) shoulder, service connection for an upper back condition, and service connection for sarcoidosis.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claim for a pulmonary disability, secondary to his service-connected residuals of splenectomy. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current pulmonary disability was related to his service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and an increased rating for her right foot bunion, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.