Sarcoidosis Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for sarcoidosis manifesting the lungs, liver, and spleen due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim was not reopened as there is no direct or presumptive link between the veteran's service and his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for sarcoidosis and right foot hallux valgus, as well as her service connection claims for disabilities of the back and joints and migraine headaches. The VA examinations did not find evidence supporting higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the veteran's service-connected conditions. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma, which had previously been rated at 100 percent, warranted a reduced rating to 30 percent effective November 1, 2002. The reduction was proper as there was material improvement in his condition.

The Board denied service connection for sarcoidosis and did not reopen the claim for lymphoma due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran's hearing loss is due to acoustic trauma in service, and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate a 50 percent rating.,The service-connected status post residuals of right radical orchiectomy for seminoma with embryonal carcinoma of the right testicle and atrophy of the left testicle with hypogonadism do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,There is no evidence of a lung disorder (claimed as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis/pneumonitis, respiratory disorder, lung disorder, breathing problems, and lung cancer secondary to carcinoma of the right testicle) incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Chest pain is not a distinct disability for VA disability compensation purposes.,Peptic ulcer disease was not incurred in, or aggravated by, active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Degenerative joint disease was not incurred in, or aggravated by, active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Low back pain is not a distinct disability for VA disability compensation purposes.,Claudication (also claimed as peripheral vascular disease) was not incurred in, or aggravated by, active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Obesity was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,Dyslipidemia is not a disability for VA disability compensation purposes.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis and sarcoidosis with cutaneous involvement associated with pulmonary sarcoidosis, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis had its onset during his period of active duty, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary disability, including sarcoidosis, is denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Board found that the reduction in the evaluation for sarcoidosis from 100 to 30 percent, effective July 1, 1997, was proper based on improvement shown by medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis disability increased in severity as of August 31, 1999, warranting a 30 percent rating. The effective date for this increase is set at August 31, 1999.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation of pulmonary sarcoidosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and proper notice under the VCAA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for open angle glaucoma and pulmonary sarcoidosis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any pertinent time.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis did not begin during his active military service and there is insufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology. Therefore, service connection for sarcoidosis is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and finds that it is due to service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for sarcoidosis and squamous cell carcinoma, including any presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including sarcoidosis, bilateral hearing loss, and a sinus disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.