Sarcoidosis Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active-duty service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.,Her sarcoidosis is found to have onset during her military service and is related thereto. She is therefore granted service connection for this condition.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis and active-duty service, and she is denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and heart condition, including arrhythmia, bradycardia with right bundle branch block, cardiovascular symptoms, heart failure, and cardiac arrest, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis on the basis that it was aggravated by military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis due to a failure to reschedule a VA examination and other duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to March 24, 2020, finding that he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that the appellant was not unemployable as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for sarcoidosis is granted based on presumed exposure to burn pits and other toxins during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam is more likely than not the cause of his current diagnosis.

The Board found that the separate 30 percent rating for service-connected sarcoidosis was properly discontinued due to clear and unmistakable error, as ratings under DCs 6600 through 6817 and 6822 through 6847 will not be combined with each other. The Veteran is therefore not entitled to a separate 30 percent rating for the service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed syncope, specifically whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis, cardiac disorders, or congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's sarcoid arthritis, including reactive arthritis symptoms, is granted as service connected.,Service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis are also granted.

The appeal for service connection of a back condition is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss is dismissed.,The appeal for higher ratings for service-connected sarcoidosis is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added and insufficient VA medical opinions. The Veteran alleges his joint and lung conditions are related to vaccinations he received in service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for Bell's palsy was granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent.,The appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for sarcoidosis were dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since February 3, 2014. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted as February 3, 2014.,Sarcoidosis and skin condition were not granted earlier than November 3, 2011 due to lack of prior claims. Effective date for scars of the left upper arm is also denied as it was inferred from sarcoidosis claim.,PTSD remains at 50% despite Veteran's contention that her symptoms are more severe. No higher rating granted for PTSD.,Sarcoidosis rated at 10%. Skin condition and scars of the left upper arm remain at non-compensable ratings.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and increased disability ratings due to the Veteran's death.