Sarcoidosis decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sarcoidosis, or any other diagnosed respiratory disability, was not caused by his service and remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis of lungs and skin, granulomatous disease of the lungs, and emphysema has been granted. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sarcoidosis and lymphadenopathy for further examination as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on their relationship to service.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's kidney stones are found to be secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis medication.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating, but the right hip disability claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset during his ACDUTRA period.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive asthma, sarcoidosis, and major depressive disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to environmental irritants during service is conceded.

The Veteran's claims for rating reductions, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates are pending. The SMC claim is also pending as it may be affected by the outcome of these other claims.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis of the lung was granted a 60% rating from March 19, 2015 to December 1, 2016 and a 100% rating since December 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding its relationship to his combat service.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder including sarcoidosis, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is also granted.

The Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis was evaluated at a 30 percent disability rating since March 23, 2010. The VA determined that the Veteran’s condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Codes 6846 and 6600.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and pulmonary sarcoidosis, as these conditions may be related to his military service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are linked to his time in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the lung condition and hearing loss. The Board will schedule a VA examination to determine if the lung condition is related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer (due to herbicide exposure), and sarcoidosis (due to herbicide exposure) as they are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis (to include sleep apnea) is rated at a 30 percent disability from October 17, 2006 to May 19, 2009 and at a 60 percent disability from May 19, 2009 to July 16, 2013. The Veteran's sarcoidosis is not rated higher than 60 percent since July 16, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is now in receipt of a 10 percent disability rating for chondromalacia, right knee prior to August 31, 2015, and a 30 percent disability rating from that date forward. His claim for increased ratings for sarcoidosis of the lung remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination. The Veteran's sarcoidosis is presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection with effective dates of July 30, 2016, and September 25, 2013 respectively.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service connection claims are reopened as new evidence supports reopening, but no rating or effective date is assigned yet.