Sarcoidosis decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claim is warranted, including obtaining outstanding VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of her service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request, and the issues of service connection remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sarcoidosis is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claims for rheumatic fever and Lyme disease are not addressed as they were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to fault on the part of the Veteran and unjust enrichment.

The Board found that asthma and sarcoidosis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as the competent and probative medical evidence did not support a finding of an onset during service or a relationship to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sarcoidosis and insect bites during a June 2012 Board hearing. The remaining issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Osgood-Schlatter disease of the right knee, status post surgery, with residual scar and osteoarthritis is being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic sarcoidosis and Type II diabetes mellitus are both granted.

The Board found that there is no competent credible evidence linking the Veteran's current left knee disability or sarcoidosis to his service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The case is being remanded for further development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection related to obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, and cutaneous sarcoid of the facial cheeks. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or if they are secondary to other conditions.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis with heart involvement has been rated at 60 percent since February 2002. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 60 percent is not warranted for the period from December 28, 2005 to May 28, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sarcoidosis and his military service. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if there is a link between his condition and his time in active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the prior denial of service connection for sarcoidosis.

The VA has assigned a 100% rating for the service-connected coronary artery disease effective October 24, 2011. The issue of TDIU prior to this date is moot as the Veteran's claim has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed sarcoidosis is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that dyslexia was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied the claim. The claims for sarcoidosis and left knee disorder are pending, but further development is needed to determine their status.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his calcified node of the left lung.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and vitiligo on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure are denied as these conditions are not diseases associated with such exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, and thus the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of post operative residuals of left acromioclavicular separation was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side or ankylosis, and the highest available rating is 30 percent.