Sarcoidosis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's cause of death was due to massive pulmonary hemorrhage, but the Board is remanding the case for additional development regarding whether his sarcoidosis and other conditions are related to service, including exposure to environmental hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis is currently rated at 30% prior to May 21, 2009 and at 60% thereafter. The RO has granted a higher rating of 60%, effective May 21, 2009. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis with liver involvement is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a higher rating of 60 percent since April 17, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis has rendered him unemployable since July 1, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis has been reopened. The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung disability during or after service, but new medical evidence supports the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Service connection was denied for an eye disability due to lack of current evidence of impairment. The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent and the claim for higher ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The other conditions are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disorder other than pulmonary sarcoidosis, including as due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange, was denied. The Board found no current evidence of such a condition and noted that the Veteran had already been granted service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there was no evidence showing systemic high dose corticosteroids were required to control his condition. The medical records showed he had been maintained on oral inhalers without side effects and did not require systemic steroids.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and a low back disorder are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records, which may indicate exposure to asbestos or an injury in service. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for uveitis, neurosarcoidosis with myelopathy and optic nerve involvement, and anemia, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service or exposure to asbestos.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including erythema nodosum and acne, are found to be secondary to her service-connected sarcoidosis. The Board grants the claims for service connection of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and denied service connection for this condition. The bilateral knee disorder issue is remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred due to herbicide exposure. The Board found the medical evidence insufficient to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current sarcoidosis and his military service.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition, and thus denied an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and ensure that all due process rights are protected.