Sarcoidosis decisions — 2008

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death (sarcoidosis, cardio-pulmonary arrest, pulmonary hypertension, and possible recurrent pulmonary embolus) is not related to his military service. The appellant was not granted service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder and an increased rating for right ankle Achilles tendonitis, finding that the medical evidence did not support higher ratings or additional benefits.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, and thus denied the reopening of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice regarding service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, specifically related to sarcoidosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a supplemental opinion from the VA physician who conducted the February 2004 examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, as well as proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal regarding the May 2004 denial of service connection for sarcoidosis. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this claim on its merits.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his sarcoidosis and lymphoma.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking Bell's Palsy or sarcoidosis to the veteran's active duty service, and denied the claims for service connection.

The VA has determined that the veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is currently asymptomatic and does not require corticosteroids or abnormal pulmonary function tests, thus denying his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to October 11, 1991, for the grant of service connection for residuals of a low back injury. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis of the lungs, claimed as removal of lymph nodes of the chest, secondary to service-connected residuals of a low back injury is remanded for further action.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for an unspecified stomach disorder was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The case is remanded for further development regarding the issue of service connection for sarcoidosis.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized ambulance services is granted due to the sudden onset of symptoms constituting a medical emergency.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and sarcoidosis are currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Board finds that a higher disability rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore service connection for each condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including CNS sarcoidosis and its secondary effects such as pancytopenia, seizure disorder, perirectal abscesses, left thigh abscess, diabetes mellitus, and abnormal liver function tests, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial and subsequent ratings for sarcoidosis, finding that the condition is in remission and does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the VA Regional Office (RO) must obtain missing service treatment records and provide the veteran with proper notification regarding his opportunity to submit alternative sources of such records. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, claimed as lung disease and non-cardiac chest pain. The evidence did not support a finding that the condition was incurred or aggravated during active duty.