Sarcoidosis decisions — 2019

The Board has not provided sufficient evidence to support the service connection for Sarcoidosis and requires additional examinations from specialists, including a pulmonologist and ophthalmologist. The Veteran's exposure to radiation is also being investigated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of whether the Veteran has sarcoidosis, prostate disorder, arthritis and joint pain, and renal cancer that are related to his military service are being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory condition, including sarcoidosis, is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for sarcoidosis and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as her TDIU claim. The VA examinations are needed to address whether the Veteran’s sarcoidosis affects her brain and if it causes or aggravates any psychiatric disorders. Additionally, the AOJ should obtain all relevant treatment records from the Alvin C. York VAMC and invite the Veteran to submit any record of conversations with Ms. Shipley.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus, a right knee disability, sarcoidosis, and traumatic brain injury due to incomplete records and lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to separate compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and chest pain, and service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as sarcoidosis).

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis, including determining its etiology and whether it is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary aneurysm, and pulmonary embolism (claimed as blood clot) due to potential exposure to environmental toxins such as asbestos and lead. The VA must obtain relevant medical records and provide a new opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for interstitial lung disease, finding that the Veteran's disability is at least as likely as not caused by in-service herbicide exposure. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for prostate hypertrophy is dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.,A 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, is granted for service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as she did not file a timely substantive appeal following the February 2014 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service. The issues include splenomegaly, respiratory condition (including COPD and sarcoidosis), heart condition, diabetes mellitus, and small bladder blockage.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 12, 2011 for the 100 percent evaluation of sarcoidosis is dismissed as there was no timely notice of disagreement and no specific theory of CUE.

The Board denied service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that the current condition is not related to the Veteran's in-service respiratory disease.

The Veteran's claim for VA beneficiary travel benefits to the Omaha VAMC was denied as there were primary care physicians available at a closer VA facility in North Platte, Nebraska.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis, a cardiac condition associated with sarcoidosis, a skin condition associated with sarcoidosis and the Veteran’s Persian Gulf War service, and a disability manifested by right hand tremors associated with sarcoidosis and the Veteran’s Persian Gulf War service. The conditions are considered to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of STRs and possible relationship between current conditions and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis did not manifest during active duty or within one year of discharge, and is not shown to be incurred in service. The claim for aggravation by military service was also denied as there is no evidence supporting the contention.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis and service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings were not warranted, and there was no medical evidence or opinion linking the Veteran's sleep disorder to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis and gastroesophageal reflux disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service.