Sarcoidosis decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and depression are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Board found that sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim of service connection.

The Board has assigned a 20% evaluation for the Veteran's right hand sarcoid arthritis, effective July 18, 2008. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of sarcoidosis was denied, and the Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current level of disability. The claims for service connection were also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the claimed conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active military service or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's left ankle sprain prior to June 18, 2007 is addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis. The issue of whether the reopened claim should be granted is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking an addendum from the August 2010 VA examiner to address the Veteran's in-service pulmonary symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus has been granted a 10% evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also determined that sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including sarcoidosis and asthma, was granted. The decision is based on the merits of his claim without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin rash on the upper thighs, and pulmonary sarcoidosis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or any exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a stroke and lung problems. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain relevant medical records, including those from Fort Leonard Wood during his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied before November 25, 2009. After that date, the Veteran's condition warranted a 30% evaluation.,Service connection for sarcoidosis is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration and requests for a hearing. The issues of service connection for left knee arthroplasty, dyslexia, and reopening of sarcoidosis claim are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for endometriosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis. Specifically, records from North Metro Hospital and Sepulveda VA Hospital are requested, as well as treatment records from St. Vincent's hospital and Dr. J.P.'s office.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis and sarcoidosis are not related to her active service, but have been granted as direct service connection based on evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as it does not require systemic high dose corticosteroids. The current disability rating is therefore denied.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and anxiety disorder were denied, while his claim for increased evaluation of sarcoidosis was granted. The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of anxiety disorder was also denied.