Sarcoidosis decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was due to metastatic melanoma with metastases to the brain, lungs, and liver, is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability. The opinions obtained from VA experts have concluded that neither in-service exposure to herbicides nor asbestos caused the Veteran's melanoma. Additionally, sarcoidosis did not contribute to the cause of death.

The Veteran does not currently have sarcoidosis and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected low back sprain with a spasm and entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis, to include as secondary to service-connected folliculitis.

The Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is currently rated at 60 percent disabling since March 28, 2013. The disability has not resulted in cor pulmonale, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, acute respiratory failure, cardiac involvement with chronic congestive heart failure, or progressive pulmonary disease with fever, night sweats, and weight loss despite treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reconsider his previously denied service connection claim for sarcoidosis and has determined that it should be granted on a presumptive basis due to its manifestation within one year of separation from active military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 60 percent rating effective September 2, 2015. His sarcoidosis was also granted service connection with a 10 percent rating effective September 2, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis was denied, and his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to pulmonary sarcoidosis was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private treatment records. The Veteran's claims of sarcoidosis and testicular disability will be reviewed in light of the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including as due to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board found no evidence of sarcoidosis during service and denied the claim as there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation and a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to include pulmonary sarcoidosis, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's sarcoidosis was incurred during his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted. The evidence received since February 2009 addressed the unestablished fact of a current disability, which is new and material.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is at least as likely as not related to his active duty military service, and thus grants service connection for sarcoidosis. The issue of left ear hearing loss is addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip osteoarthritis and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU effective October 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's asthma and sarcoidosis, as these conditions are not presumed due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran served in Vietnam but was not exposed to Agent Orange during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder, including sarcoidosis and asthma, is not etiologically linked to his military service, specifically exposure to asbestos or smoke/chemical inhalation. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an adequate VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current skin disorders are related to his service or herbicide exposure.