Sarcoidosis decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sarcoidosis did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and is therefore not entitled to service connection.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current respiratory disability, including asbestosis. The Board also determined that any current arthritis is not causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the relationship between his bronchiectasis and sarcoidosis and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is etiologically related to chemical exposure in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sarcoidosis and whether it is related to any disease or injury in service. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a spinal cord injury, finding that the Veteran's injury was not incurred or aggravated in active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of lower extremities and specially adapted housing.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from attending to his needs without regular aid and attendance, thus denying entitlement to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain any outstanding treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for award of a schedular TDIU, and these disabilities, alone, are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sarcoidosis and granted service connection, finding that new and material evidence has been presented to relate the Veteran's current diagnosed sarcoidosis to his periods of service. The effective date is not specified as it was granted subsequent to a prior denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to restoration of his 60 percent evaluation for sarcoidosis, finding that there was no actual improvement in the disability and thus not warranting a reduction from 30% to 60%. The evidence did not reflect an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the issue of dental disorder. The Board finds that multiple joint and muscle pain, urethritis, prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, night sweats (due to Reiter's syndrome or sarcoidosis), respiratory problems (sarcoidosis), blood in stools/hemorrhoids, and short term memory loss are all part of his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran's right heel spur residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. His sarcoidosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, and no further action is required on her part regarding service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disorder (prurigo nodularis/sarcoidosis) is rated at 10 percent since April 1, 1992. The current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was incurred coincident with his active service in the Armed Forces, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis did not become manifest during service or within a year of discharge, and is otherwise unrelated to service.

The Veteran's timely Substantive Appeal allowed for the reopening of his claims and granted him increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, effective from October 6, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to remove her from discontinued status for vocational rehabilitation services due to the lack of reasonable feasibility in achieving a vocational goal given her current psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations for tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability (Crohn's Disease), and sarcoidosis.