Sarcoidosis decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of sarcoidosis and service connection for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and sarcoidosis, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's lung disorder and stroke were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and the Board finds no evidence to support a secondary service connection for the CVA.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sarcoidosis, service connection for a bilateral hand disorder and heart disorder secondary to sarcoidosis, and TDIU are all granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sarcoidosis, which he claims is either a direct result of Agent Orange exposure or was aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the chest. The Board finds that further development is warranted to adequately address various theories of entitlement raised by the record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is being considered.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis with pulmonary involvement has been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 3, 2012. Prior to that date, the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis, finding that she had this condition during active service and continues to have it. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is separated and remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations to assess any eye and skin conditions related to the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for sarcoid iritis and uveitis was denied, as the evidence did not show active symptoms or impairment of central or field visual acuity. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of hepatitis B infection is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for sarcoidosis with pulmonary involvement, and his claim for service connection was based on direct evidence rather than secondary or other theories.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was incurred or aggravated during his active service, and there is no credible evidence of diagnosis within one year post-service. The Board therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lung disability, including sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. However, the cause of death due to hepatitis C substantially contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, including obtaining VA medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.