Sarcoidosis decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the right and left fingers, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent or sarcoidosis, are denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

From February 20, 2013 to February 6, 2023, the Veteran's sarcoidosis was rated at 30 percent.,Since February 7, 2023, the Veteran's sarcoidosis has been rated at 100 percent.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis of the right lower lip is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, back condition, and left knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his sarcoidosis (pulmonary) was denied by the Board, as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral lower extremity frostbite due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, loss of sense of taste, loss of sense of smell, and vision problems. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's lung and skin disorders are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis of the heart, finding that there is no link between the current condition and the service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied, while he received a grant of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's scar, lower anterior neck associated with pulmonary sarcoidosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her in-service symptoms during ACDUTRA.,Service connection is also granted for headaches, with the examiner concluding it is at least as likely as not related to service. However, service connection for sarcoidosis remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case to determine how much Federal income tax was withheld from the total amount of SSB pay awarded to the Veteran, in order to accurately recoup the VA disability compensation benefits.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable evaluation for sarcoidosis was denied. The Board found that his sarcoidosis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it did not result in persistent symptoms requiring treatment with corticosteroids, cor pulmonale, cardiac involvement, or progressive pulmonary disease.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation prior to March 8, 2022 for tension headaches was denied. The Board found that his headaches did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating as they did not result in characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is presumed to be related to in-service exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sarcoidosis prior to August 10, 2022 and gastrointestinal condition (including duodenal ulcer).

The Veteran's service connection for sarcoidosis has been granted under the PACT Act, presuming it is related to his exposure to burn pits during his service in Kuwait. Service connection for hypothyroidism as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis has also been granted.,Service connection for a disability manifested by brain lesion and seizures, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, sleep apnea, hypertension, heart disorder, chronic laryngitis, and headaches have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis claim is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.