Sarcoidosis decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and clarification of his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis with thoracotomy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for tuberculosis. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's appeal was denied across multiple issues, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, pulmonary sarcoidosis with asthma, tendonitis of the left ankle, retropatellar pain syndrome (myxoid degeneration) of both knees, human papilloma virus, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions. The appeals were not granted for any of these issues.

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

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including sarcoidosis, chronic bronchitis, a chronic stomach condition, and a low back condition. The appeal will be remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by or contributed to by his service-connected conditions, including sarcoidosis and cardiomegaly. The claims for a lung condition and psychiatric condition are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's asthma/bronchitis has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his current diagnosis and treatment needs.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder, sarcoidosis, and COPD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sarcoidosis was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition had worsened to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded it to obtain additional evidence. The Veteran appealed this decision, and the Court vacated the Board's decision and ordered further action. The case is now being remanded to consider whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sarcoidosis is not related to service or environmental exposures in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for a heart disability. The issues of increased rating for sarcoidosis, separate ratings for co-existing respiratory conditions, and earlier effective date for sleep apnea are also addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not manifested during his active military service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service. The VA examiner concluded that the current sarcoidosis is less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have sarcoidosis or residuals thereof, and even if he did, it was less likely than not related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis, COPD, and depression are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection of an asbestos-related lung disorder, including asbestosis. The Veteran was previously denied service connection for sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development of the claim.