Sarcoidosis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material. The claims for respiratory disorder (sarcoidosis), right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, fibromyalgia, and right ankle disorder were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sarcoidosis, diverticulosis, and plantar fascial and heel pain have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that diabetes mellitus did not have its onset in service, was not related to service, and sarcoidosis had no active manifestations or residuals warranting a compensable evaluation. For hallux valgus of the right foot, the maximum schedular rating (10%) is already assigned. For hallux valgus of the left foot, the maximum schedular rating (10%) is also already assigned.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and has reopened his previously denied claim for service connection for sarcoidosis. The decision on the merits of the sarcoidosis claim is pending.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection for sarcoidosis and endometriosis established. The Veteran received a 60 percent evaluation for sarcoidosis and the TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis but denied service connection for lupus.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus granted severance of this condition. The Veteran's other claims were denied as there is no evidence linking any current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and sarcoidosis, as well as the attribution of his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 18, 2002 for the award of service connection for sarcoidosis was denied as there was no indication of intent to file a claim for sarcoidosis prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical records from a private physician in Wichita, Kansas. An examination will also be scheduled to determine the etiology of his sarcoidosis and any current cardiovascular condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a psychiatric disability, headaches, sarcoidosis with restrictive lung disease, and TDIU. The claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits was granted.

The Veteran's lung disability, including bronchiectasis, is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Board found that the Veteran's insomnia and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis.,VA will schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a disability manifested by cramping of the upper and lower extremities that is caused or aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected cutaneous sarcoidosis is granted at a noncompensable level prior to July 23, 2013. A higher rating of 10 percent or more is denied after that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sarcoidosis and sleep apnea are not related to his military service, including any in-service asbestos exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.