Sarcoidosis decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's asthma and its relation to his service-connected bilateral hilar adenopathy with pulmonary infiltrates compatible with sarcoidosis stage II. A new VA opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have not been fully addressed due to a failure to obtain necessary examinations. The case is being remanded to schedule these examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, multiple myeloma, POEMS Syndrome, and a kidney condition are reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, these claims remain denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the conditions to service.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for a thyroid condition remains denied as well.

The Veteran's pulmonary manifestations of sarcoidosis are now rated at 30 percent, reflecting the need for chronic low dose (maintenance) steroids.

The Board has granted service connection for a left lower extremity disability as secondary to sarcoidosis and a right lower extremity disability as secondary to sarcoidosis, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and sarcoid arthropathy of the low back.,An effective date earlier than April 17, 2012, for the grant of service connection for a right hip disability is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to outstanding private and VA treatment records, incomplete employment information, and the need for examinations regarding his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and upper extremity neuropathies.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of DLCO (SB) test results, which are important for evaluating the Veteran's sarcoidosis/pulmonary fibrosis. The VA will obtain additional medical records and arrange for an examination to determine if DLCO testing is useful in this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and sarcoidosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis of the liver is granted as service connected, linked to his active duty service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis is rated at 60 percent from September 26, 2015 onwards, reflecting persistent symptoms requiring systemic high dose corticosteroids for control.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis but remanded the issue of sleep apnea due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding its pre-service existence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and chronic kidney disease due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case requires further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking an advisory medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to November 28, 2006, on an extraschedular basis due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities alone or in combination precluded him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal and pulmonary conditions, including conducting new VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his lumbar spine strain, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee chondromalacia patella, right ankle strain (status-post surgery), and pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent from October 11, 2016. A compensable rating for sarcoidosis has been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran was entitled to a TDIU effective October 11, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis but has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a right great toe injury due to additional development being necessary.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed as you withdrew your claims and appeals in a September 2020 letter.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if COPD is secondary to sarcoidosis, and to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's sarcoidosis.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of appeal, including service connection for hypertension and thermoregulation associated with sarcoidosis due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.