Sarcoidosis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review. The issues of service connection, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease of the left foot with calcaneal spur and hallux valgus.,Regarding the respiratory issue, the Veteran's representative submitted additional evidence in April 2014, including private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has determined that further development is needed regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, including a new VA opinion to address whether his lung problems were caused or aggravated by military service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, psychiatric disability, and eye blindness.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 27, 2006, for the award of service connection for sarcoidosis was denied. The Board found no basis to assign an earlier effective date as the Veteran did not file a claim for sarcoidosis until February 27, 2006.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed sarcoidosis and asthma did not begin during, or for several years after, his active duty service, and were not otherwise related to his service, including his exposure to asbestos.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether any service-connected conditions contributed to it.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and reviewing the claims file to ensure all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and sarcoidosis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain complete medical records and to provide the Veteran with an examination to determine if his current respiratory disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is likely related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA social and industrial survey to assess his ability to work given his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded both issues due to additional evidence being associated with the file and a need for issuance of an SOC regarding the issue of increased evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the hips.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, burn scars of the right and left hands, service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis, and service connection for enlarged prostate were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis has not been shown to be active or manifested by any compensable residuals, and the preponderance of evidence weighs against finding that his sarcoidosis is currently disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, including asthma and sarcoidosis. The issue is now on remand for further development.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depression, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, a heart condition, sarcoidosis, and a back disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, H. pylori gastritis, and sarcoidosis based on the Veteran's service as a Persian Gulf Veteran.