Sarcoidosis decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and sarcoidosis of the right lower lip. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors for PTSD, lack of VA examinations for other disabilities, and need for additional development related to exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis was granted a 100% evaluation effective November 12, 2014. The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50%. Effective February 9, 2015, the Veteran received a 100% rating for his sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities and sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis disability has worsened and she testified that it warrants a higher evaluation. The claim is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for an examination. The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchial asthma and pulmonary sarcoidosis, is being reviewed to determine if it was incurred during service or related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for service-connected PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits is denied. The effective dates are set at May 7, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and shin splints. Service connection was granted for the Veteran's plantar fasciitis but not for her claimed shin splints or sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis (claimed as liver disease) is not service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's liver condition is more likely due to multiple etiologies including obesity, alcohol use, and medications rather than military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for right knee disability and a diagnosis of PTSD are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his sarcoidosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the disorder or any other mental health disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and Boeck's sarcoidosis were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and SSA records. The Veteran's sarcoidosis disability is to be evaluated by a VA examiner who will assess its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis, malignant melanoma, and a right abdominal scar (secondary to malignant melanoma) have been granted. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis and the scars are considered direct service connections.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his FEV-1/FVC was within the range for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings for service-connected hypertension and sarcoidosis. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 20 percent, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on objective blood pressure readings.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal respiratory and cardiac disabilities to active service. The appellant's claim for sarcoidosis due to herbicide exposure is also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sarcoidosis had its onset during service or within one year of service discharge, and grants service connection for sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for sarcoidosis, fatigue, and a right knee disability. Additional development is required including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis was not present during service and is not related to military service, including Gulf War service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.