Sarcoidosis decisions — 2009

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a disability evaluation greater than 10 percent for service-connected sarcoid uveitis with iritis, associated with sarcoidosis.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 30 percent for service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, effective from the date of the initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and sarcoid choroidal granuloma of the right eye were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus. The claim based on exposure to herbicides was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection due to an undiagnosed illness based on Persian Gulf War Service is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of sarcoidosis, and the Board dismisses this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Boeck's sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that the respiratory disorder, to include sarcoidosis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, hypertension, and sarcoidosis. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service disease or injury that resulted in these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertrophic cardiomyopathy claim was denied, while his sarcoidosis claim resulted in a grant of a 100% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his sarcoidosis with asthma, Osgood Schlatter's disease (right and left knees), and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sacroidosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being remanded due to a need to review his military service personnel records and consider 10 U.S.C. § 1218.

The Board has not addressed the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, but has found that his sarcoidosis with postoperative scars, thoracotomy, and pulmonary fibrosis warrants a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is still pending as new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen it.

The Board granted an effective date of April 30, 2000 for the grant of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration disability file.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed sarcoidosis and squamous cell carcinoma, to include whether they are related to herbicide exposure. The claims will be reviewed again after this additional development.