Sarcoidosis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to May 19, 2016 for a TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to this date. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities alone were insufficient to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as sarcoidosis, is related to his service and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for SMC (o) and need for regular aid and attendance was granted. The Veteran has been in receipt of the correct payment for his combined disability rating since August 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and sarcoidosis, finding that his current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sarcoidosis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and/or bipolar disorder) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have an applicable period of service during which he could be granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is related to his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his request for a Board hearing in June 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to that extent, but the claims for COPD and sarcoidosis are remanded as there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a fully-informed decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his initial active duty training (ACDUTRA) military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative disc disease and sarcoidosis due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for his back condition is being reviewed, and he may withdraw this claim if he wishes. For sarcoidosis, the AOJ must consider whether it is service-connected or secondary to sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is at least as likely as not related to his active military service, including his in-service coughs and exposure to asbestos. Therefore, service connection for sarcoidosis is granted.

The Board denied service connection for sarcoidosis as it did not manifest during active duty or ACDUTRA, and there is no evidence of disease incurred in service.

The claim of service connection for sarcoidosis is denied, and the claim of effective date earlier than December 2, 2010, for IVDS is denied. The claim of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for IVDS from December 2, 2010 to December 30, 2010, and since February 1, 2011, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis was denied for a compensable rating prior to August 14, 2013 and for ratings in excess of 30 percent from August 14, 2013 to June 7, 2017. The claim for a higher rating after June 8, 2017 was also denied.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus was remanded as it may have complications that warrant separate ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tachycardia is denied as a matter of law. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to his combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are at least in equipoise as to whether they prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's sarcoidosis is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the need for high dose corticosteroids.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for sarcoidosis was denied. From May 31, 2007, the rating for sarcoidosis remained at 10 percent and from June 15, 2012, it remained at 30 percent.