Sarcoidosis decisions — 2009

The Board has referred the case to a specialist for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran should have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis, silicosis or some other disability due to in-service exposure to paint and dust. The appellant submitted additional evidence which led to a second medical opinion. The appeal is now remanded for further consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and vitiligo, both linked to exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service, are being remanded due to the lack of verification of his additional reserve service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability have been granted increased ratings, and he is now eligible for a TDIU based on his combined evaluation of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death. The April 2004 rating decision denied service connection due to lack of evidence showing sarcoidosis onset within one year after discharge, and because it was not related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis due to new evidence. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated at 10 percent, but this rating is denied as there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or fissures.

The case is being remanded due to the VA examination not substantially complying with the Board's instructions and failing to address whether presumptive service connection would be applicable under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with directives from the Board of Veterans' Appeals, including obtaining a new VA pulmonary examination and considering additional evidence submitted since the prior decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or presumed Agent Orange exposure and his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's medical treatment at St. Peters Hospital on August 14, 2003 was not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under emergency treatment provisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding no evidence of active sarcoidosis during or within one year after service and concluding that any current diagnosis is not causally linked to his period of service.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there was no evidence linking the current diagnosis to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's respiratory disability was not manifested by symptoms requiring chronic low dose or intermittent corticosteroids from April 23, 2004 to June 28, 2005. As of June 29, 2005, the Veteran used inhalers daily and had an FEV-1 of 86 percent predicted, which did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Board also found that there was no evidence of right lower extremity sciatica or erectile dysfunction due to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if he has current asbestos-related lung diseases and whether they are related to service.

The Board has decided that the reduction in rating from 60 percent to noncompensable for the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis was improper and has ordered further development.

The Board has determined that the claim to reopen service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied as there is no new and material evidence presented.