Sarcoidosis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis does not warrant a compensable rating, as his condition is currently stable and does not require any treatment or medication.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis but assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The veteran is seeking an initial compensable evaluation.

The veteran's hepatitis C with portal fibrosis and cirrhosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis with dry eyes, and other service-connected conditions are all rated at the maximum available disability rating. The effective date for the grant of service connection is May 7, 1992.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation for chronic fatigue secondary to sarcoidosis and has found the veteran eligible for an annual clothing allowance. The claim of entitlement to earlier effective date for a 50 percent evaluation for depression and fatigue is remanded due to outstanding VA records. The claim concerning greater evaluation of an eye disability due to sarcoidosis is also remanded.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis with postoperative scars, thoracotomy, and pulmonary fibrosis warrants a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for this condition.

The Board has ordered the case remanded due to issues regarding the veteran's disability rating for cholelithiasis. The issue is related to whether a separate rating should be assigned for this condition, which was previously combined with sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis, which was previously denied in April 1995. The veteran's request for a personal hearing before the Board is noted but not addressed as it pertains to an earlier decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis and granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, but denied the reopening of his previous claims.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for service-connected sarcoidosis has been granted with a 60 percent rating effective November 6, 1998. The appeal is dismissed as the issue of entitlement to a higher evaluation is no longer pending.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim of service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material.

The Board has confirmed and continued a noncompensable rating for the veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. After the veteran's testimony at a March 2000 RO hearing, a June 2000 rating action increased the rating to 60 percent.

The veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is granted, and the appeal with respect to this issue is dismissed. The case is remanded for scheduling a hearing before the RO.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the March 1981 decision which failed to address the propriety of reducing the veteran's total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability. The motion is granted, restoring the veteran's entitlement.

The Board has determined that there is a need for further development of the veteran's claim, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA respiratory examination to determine the severity of his sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected blindness of the left eye does not warrant a rating greater than 30 percent, as his visual acuity in the right eye is 20/40 and he does not have any visual field loss.

The veteran's sarcoidosis is currently rated at 60 percent effective October 26, 1998. The claim for a higher evaluation remains denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the law regarding veterans' claims assistance, and because of ambiguity in the May 1998 VA examination report regarding the etiology of the veteran's sarcoidosis.

The Board granted a 100% disability rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis with arthralgia from December 15, 1998, and denied secondary service connection for spondylolysis of the L-5 vertebra.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis (with lung, skin, and eye manifestations) claimed as due to undiagnosed illness from service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War, and for bilateral inguinal hernias.