Sarcoidosis decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis was reopened, and the Board found that it was present within one year of separation from service. However, there is no evidence to show that the condition manifested to a compensable degree during this period or at any time thereafter. The claim for hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pulmonary sarcoidosis was denied because he failed to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VCAA notice and need for a medical opinion regarding the onset of sarcoidosis in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the issues of service connection and reopening a previously denied claim were addressed. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, and granted service connection for this condition. Service connection was also granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and numbness and tingling of the bilateral legs as secondary to service-connected mechanical low back strain. The Veteran's sarcoidosis of the thighs, arms, and legs and pulmonary sarcoidosis were both rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for seborrheic dermatitis was denied. The August 1998 denial of service connection for dizziness, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is final. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for dizziness.

The VA determined that the appellant's sarcoidosis did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it has not been productive of pulmonary involvement requiring chronic low dose (maintenance) or intermittent corticosteroids.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete opinions from the VA examiners.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred, including as due to inservice exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and updating his records. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher rating for hepatitis C with portal fibrosis and cirrhosis, to include hepatitis B, and pulmonary sarcoidosis with dry eyes.

The Board denied a rating higher than 60 percent for the Veteran's sarcoidosis, finding that there was no evidence of symptoms warranting such a rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there is no evidence of its development during or within a year after his military service and it is not related to his service. The appeal was based on exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence, including a need for SSA records and VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness, attributing it to sarcoidosis and degenerative joint disease. The claim of reopening PTSD was not addressed as no specific notice of disagreement regarding this issue had been filed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an updated VA examination and additional medical evidence. The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis is being evaluated for a disability evaluation greater than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin condition, and sarcoid arthritis due to exposure to Agent Orange. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's current cutaneous sarcoidosis to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was incurred as a result of interstitial lung disease that developed due to sarcoidosis and exposure to chemicals and fumes during service, warranting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability resulting in individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to July 25, 2003.