Sarcoidosis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated at a 30 percent level, as it results in persistent symptoms requiring chronic low dose corticosteroids.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating since March 23, 2021. The VA determined that the Veteran's condition required low dose (maintenance) or intermittent corticosteroids for control.

The Veteran's scar on the upper right back was granted service connection, while his claims for tinnitus, periodontal disease, tuberculosis, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sarcoidosis, headaches, dementia, and chronic diarrhea were denied. The claim for service connection of bronchiectasis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable initial disability rating for service-connected sarcoidosis and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including sarcoidosis. The VA failed to obtain necessary private pulmonology treatment records prior to issuing the decision on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and a bilateral eye disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting sarcoidosis was aggravated by her active-duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant VA treatment records and providing an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's sarcoidosis.

The Board has restored service connection for chronic sarcoidosis and the associated residual scar, finding that the original decisions were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also restored.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for sarcoidosis with OSA and macular skin lesions, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's sarcoidosis does not meet criteria for higher than 50 percent or 10 percent ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's lung condition is being remanded due to a duty to assist error and insufficient evidence linking his conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis with associated interstitial lung disease due to in-service toxic exposure. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed based on his MOS of illustrator and any TERA (Toxic Exposure Risk Activity) opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for sarcoidosis is granted due to presumed exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his military service, as established by the PACT Act.

The appeal with respect to service connection for chest pains and increased rating for sarcoidosis is dismissed. The appeal with respect to erectile dysfunction and hypertension is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sarcoidosis due to new evidence received since the July 2019 rating decision. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is related to herbicide exposure, while no other respiratory disorders are service-connected.

The Veteran's death was caused by sarcoidosis, blastomycosis, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, which contributed to his diabetes mellitus. As a result, the Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral cataracts, valvular heart disease (claimed as atherosclerotic heart disease and aortic stenosis) secondary to sarcoidosis, and denied an evaluation more than 30 percent for sarcoidosis with pulmonary, hepatic and lymph node involvement. The Veteran's conditions are not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected sarcoidosis disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria set forth in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for a left lung disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate maximum exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary complications.