Sarcoidosis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis was denied as there is no medical diagnosis of chronic sarcoidosis at any time during the appeal period. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sarcoidosis and neuritis. The denial was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected granulomatous hepatitis consistent with sarcoidosis with bilateral hilar adenopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for sarcoidosis, diverticulitis, and hypertension. The appellant's claims were not related to his active military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her private medical records, specifically those from her pulmonologist. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions based on the Veteran's honorable period of service from January 29, 1985 to January 28, 1989. The claims are related to sarcoidosis and asthma.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. The VA opinions provided conflicting conclusions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and ataxia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis. The claims for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and bilateral pseudophakia and diplopia with left hypertropia, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the form of medical opinions and examinations to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder has been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension is also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for pulmonary sarcoidosis were granted at 60 percent from August 22, 2004 to November 30, 2004 and April 7, 2005 to November 17, 2013. The Veteran was also granted a TDIU prior to November 18, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and potential need for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it did not present with near-constant symptoms or chronic osteomyelitis following radical surgery. The current 30 percent rating is maintained.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current sarcoidosis disability is related to his military service, including exposure to jet fuel fumes. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder, vision disorder, back disability, sarcoidosis manifestations, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disease, sleep apnea, black outs, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in active service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation is 100 percent from November 1, 1995. The Board has granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.