Sarcoidosis decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 22, 1995 for the TDIU is not warranted as it was not factually ascertainable prior to this date that the veteran's service-connected disabilities made her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's sarcoidosis is related to his military service and herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sarcoidosis is etiologically related to exposure to smoke during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and a left knee disability, as well as the request for an earlier effective date for right knee disability, were all denied by the Board. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis, lumbar strain with intermittent radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and glaucoma. The veteran was assigned a 10 percent initial rating for each condition.

The veteran's sarcoidosis did not result in any active symptomatology, and his pulmonary function tests were found to be normal. As a result, the Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for sarcoidosis.

The appeal was remanded for additional development, including the search for and consideration of any available service medical records, as well as a VA examination to determine if the appellant's sarcoidosis is related to his military service.

The Board remands the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, to include emphysema and sarcoidosis, for further development of evidence.

The veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis does not require systemic high doses of corticosteroids for control, and therefore a rating higher than 30 percent is not warranted.

The veteran's hypertension, sarcoidosis, and vascular headaches do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability, chronic sinusitis, and sarcoidosis as there was no evidence of current disabilities or that the claimed conditions were related to active service.

The veteran does not have an employment handicap, and therefore is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 30 percent for sarcoidosis based on pulmonary function test results that did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for further development of the evidence, including obtaining additional medical records and examination reports.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and a mood disorder secondary to sarcoidosis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, emphysema, and sarcoidosis are not service-connected due to Agent Orange exposure as these conditions do not fall under the list of diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The presumption of service connection for certain specific diseases associated with exposure to herbicides is not applicable in this case.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions and whether they are related to his military service. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and hypertension, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, will be remanded.

The veteran's sarcoidosis is being referred for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service, specifically herbicide exposure. The effective date of the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, needs to be remanded as well.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder in 1987 due to lack of new and material evidence.,In 2004, the VA denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for sarcoidosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for sarcoidosis, maxillary sinusitis, and a skin condition due to insufficient evidence showing incapacitating episodes or systemic therapy.