Sarcoidosis decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange. Sleep apnea is also found to be secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate previous VA examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered based on newly obtained service department records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of service connection for hypertension, right ankle strain, and a neurologic abnormality have been dismissed.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis and heart condition are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's skin disability, claimed as chronic infectious dermatitis, sarcoidosis, and residuals of skin cancer, is not found to be related to his service or exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is directly related to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss in his left ear is a result of service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that there is no evidence to support the claim of ophthalmologic sarcoidosis being related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed respiratory disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent, and his sarcoidosis is service-connected due to asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis. The Veteran had a breathing condition manifested during his active duty service, which is considered direct service connection as there was no presumption or secondary basis established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar degenerative changes, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sarcoidosis during the current appeal period and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is found to have originated during his military service, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is service-connected due to noise exposure in service.,Sarcoidosis was diagnosed in service and the Veteran continues to experience symptoms, warranting service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's disability rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis was reduced from 30% to non-compensable effective March 1, 2015. The reduction was proper as the evidence showed improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is currently asymptomatic and not manifested by persistent symptoms requiring chronic low dose (maintenance) or intermittent corticosteroids. Her FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC are within normal ranges, with no evidence of cor pulmonale or cardiac involvement.

The Veteran's current lung disability, diagnosed as sarcoidosis, is etiologically related to his active service. The Board finds that the evidence in this case is in relative equipoise and grants service connection for a lung disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for extraschedular ratings and secondary service connection, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim. The Veteran's sarcoidosis prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis is rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected MDD is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for psychiatric disability and sarcoidosis. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again after additional development.