Sarcoidosis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or sarcoidosis during his active service. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on these issues because no VA examiner has opined whether the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis and/or sarcoidosis may be related to his active service, including the in-service anthrax vaccinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability appeal is dismissed. An effective date of July 23, 2009, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of a 30 percent evaluation for pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition to include sarcoidosis and COPD, hypertension, and liver disease to include cirrhosis of the liver. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for right tonsil cancer, sarcoidosis, a sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for prostate cancer is dismissed. The case of service connection for hypertension and increase in the ratings for sarcoidosis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of his claim for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The case also has a pending request for a Board hearing on sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for sarcoidosis of the eyes on an extraschedular basis due to marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including asbestos exposure, low back disability, sciatic nerve impingement, cervical spondylitis, sarcoidosis, diabetes, hypertension, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sarcoidosis and its relation to his military service, specifically exposure to beryllium.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to December 22, 2017 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his hearing loss.,Service connection for left knee disability and right knee status post medial meniscectomy are remanded due to insufficient medical examination or opinion regarding etiology.

The Veteran's uveitis with glaucoma resulted in a temporary total rating based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence from September 9, 2016 to October 10, 2016. The claim for increased ratings for pulmonary sarcoidosis and seborrheic dermatitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and reviewing additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are related to his active service, with particular focus on exposure to herbicides during his time aboard the USS Midway in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis and a heart condition other than coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder was denied. The effective date of the 70 percent rating for persistent depressive disorder was set at September 12, 2016. The previously denied claims for service connection were reopened.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected sarcoidosis, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to perform daily activities and protect him from hazards in his environment.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis rating is being remanded for further evaluation, including an eye examination to determine if his vision complaints are related to the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and sarcoidosis due to incomplete development, including obtaining medical records and verifying periods of service. The Veteran will need VA examinations to address whether his current diagnoses are related to in-service incidents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis, left foot disability, and right ankle disability due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The claim for service connection for gout has been granted. The claims for myelodysplastic syndrome, prostate cancer or prostate enlargement, iron toxicity, thrombocytopenia, loss of appetite, weight loss, and depression have been remanded.,The claims for sarcoidosis and pleural effusion have also been remanded. Additionally, the cause of death claim has been remanded.