Sarcoidosis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (prostate cancer, colitis, and sarcoidosis) do not render him unemployable as his education and occupational experience are sufficient to allow for substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis and diabetes mellitus, type II were not related to his service in Southwest Asia. The Board denied service connection for both conditions.

The Board found insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's respiratory disorder other than sarcoidosis and asthma was incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiomyopathy associated with sarcoidosis was granted, and the effective date assigned is January 15, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of right elbow, left elbow, and left foot plantar fasciitis.,A left knee disorder is related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and sarcoidosis have been granted service connection, with the sarcoidosis receiving a 10% rating for respiratory impairment since February 17, 2004, and a 60% rating for extrapulmonary involvement of the skin.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering the Veteran's claims in light of his claimed sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's biological son is not entitled to benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1805 or 38 U.S.C. § 1815 for his diagnosed sarcoidosis with associated cardiomyopathy, as he does not meet the criteria for spina bifida or other covered birth defects.

The Board denied an increased rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis but granted a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, but the effective dates are not established as requested.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and an increased rating for DM with bilateral cataracts are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the assignment of 100% disability ratings for sarcoidosis and thalassemia were dismissed as freestanding claims are not allowed once a rating decision becomes final.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis has been rated as 30 percent disabling, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran's bilateral pseudophakia and diplopia with left hypertropia associated with sarcoidosis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis with pulmonary fibrosis, claiming it as a respiratory disability. The decision is based on the merits of the case and does not involve any presumption or exposure basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disease, including emphysema and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has found that the Appellant's discharge from service is not a bar to benefits administered by VA, and therefore his claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis will be remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected sarcoidosis. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and requires further development before a decision can be made on the initial compensable rating for service-connected sarcoidosis.