Sarcoidosis decisions — 2021

The Board has found that further development is required due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the service connection claim for sarcoidosis. The Veteran's lay statements and theories of entitlement have not been adequately addressed by a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for sarcoidosis, a lung disability separate from sarcoidosis, heart disorders, and kidney disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to clarify his reported in-service hospitalization. The claims for service connection are therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is not service connected as it was not shown to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sarcoidosis is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether the sarcoidosis caused the erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence supports this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examination opinions and lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and a bladder disability, secondary to sarcoidosis due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted. The Board has decided that the case should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between OSA and his service-connected sinusitis and sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected COPD and pulmonary sarcoidosis prior to January 15, 2021 has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his respiratory disorder, esophageal cancer, residuals of a gallbladder removal, and cellulitis of the right ankle and foot due to outstanding medical opinions and scheduling issues.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension and pulmonary sarcoid (suspected) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the head/neck and sarcoidosis are remanded for further development to determine their etiology, including whether they are related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, sarcoidosis, fibrosis, and pneumoconiosis, is related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition other than sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, as well as his right wrist disorder and bilateral ankle conditions. The evidence did not support separate diagnoses or a causal link to service.,The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against finding that the Veteran had a separately diagnosable respiratory condition other than his service-connected sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, and denied his claims for right wrist disorder and bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right shoulder/upper clavicular radiculopathy with RUE carpal tunnel syndrome, and LUE carpal tunnel syndrome are not rated higher than the currently assigned ratings. The Veteran’s OSA with residuals of sarcoid is also not rated higher.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not service-connected. The case for both conditions is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of sarcoidosis to service, specifically diesel fuel and bromine exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea disability is related to his service-connected sarcoidosis, and whether it was caused or aggravated by his sarcoidosis.