Sarcoidosis decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, sarcoidosis, hypertension, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The appeal pertaining to presbyopia is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and hypertension. Service connection for anemia secondary to hemorrhoids is granted.,PTOSIS with visual field defect prior to July 10, 2019 was denied; as of that date, a 30% rating is granted but no higher.,A separate 10% rating is granted for GLAUcoma and Ocular Sarcoidosis with Dry Eye Syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and effective date for DEA benefits were granted, with the sarcoidosis receiving a 100% disability rating as of August 25, 2015.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, and sarcoidosis. The case is remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sarcoidosis.

Service connection is granted for a low back disability.,Service connection is granted for a neurologic condition affecting the legs, as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection is granted for sarcoidosis, as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The appeal is denied as the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were not timely filed, and the issues are dismissed or denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's current sarcoidosis or GERD are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining military personnel records to determine if the Veteran had service in Vietnam and Agent Orange exposure. The Board also requested a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's Parkinson's disease contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, to include sarcoidosis, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a retrospective examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's work capacity during the period from April 21, 2014 to February 1, 2016. The effective date is not addressed as it pertains to the retroactive application of a 100% schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disorders, esophageal cancer, and residuals of a gallbladder removal due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but further development is needed to address its merits due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's military records and unverified stressors. The claims for Alzheimer’s dementia and neurosarcoidosis are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for financial assistance for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation is remanded. The appeals for a separate, compensable initial rating for leukopenia/neutropenia and an effective date earlier than July 16, 2009, for the grant of service connection for leukopenia/neutropenia are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and tension headaches due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's alleged exposures. The Veteran is required to provide information about his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, herbicides, hazardous chemicals (including asbestos), and ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for CUE in previous rating decisions, an earlier effective date for his 100% disability rating for sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement, and a higher level of SMC on caregiver allowance. The current effective date for his 100% disability rating is December 30, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis may have caused or aggravated his diagnosed sleep apnea, and whether there is a link between his Gulf War deployments and his sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as secondary to sarcoidosis. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his exposure to smoke and particulate matter during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected cerebral sarcoidosis with partial seizures and arthralgia, has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for sarcoidosis and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including a request for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis and ocular sarcoidosis to include as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis are granted. The claim for a compensable rating for traumatic retinal tears status post laser repair is remanded.