Sarcoidosis decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and residuals of a chest wound.,The Veteran's tinnitus disability is already assigned the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as service-connected.,Increased ratings are required for cervical spine DJD, right shoulder arthritis, sarcoidosis, and bilateral pinguecula.,Service connection is denied for fibromyalgia, polyarthritis (claimed as polyarthritis), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, and sleep disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's knee scars, right elbow disability, left great toe disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, sarcoidosis, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service. The claims are being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sarcoidosis is denied because there was no prior claim filed before July 11, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, sarcoidosis, benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), and sleep disturbances have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sarcoidosis was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to unanswered medical questions regarding the Veteran's sarcoidosis and its impact on his joint pain.

The Board dismissed all increased rating claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sarcoidosis, hilar adenopathy, congestive heart failure, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and a skin condition. The appeals are pending for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for sarcoidosis and denied his claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for sarcoidosis as the evidence did not show it was incurred or aggravated during active duty training (ACDUTRA). The Veteran's diagnosis of sarcoidosis occurred after his military service and there is no link to his ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted service connection, and his erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection was granted for neuropathy of the left upper extremity and sarcoidosis, both found to be related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to crutches and topical ointments or medications due to lack of evidence showing wear and tear on his clothes, and because he is only service-connected for one skin disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including VA treatment records from March 2018 and thereafter. The AOJ must review this evidence before readjudicating his claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including sarcoidosis and its secondary effects on other conditions. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and review of his claims for a gastric ulcer, joint pain (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), and sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed sarcoidosis, including his exposure to asbestos and radiation during service. The Veteran is also asked to provide details of his reported exposures.