Sarcoidosis Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected sarcoidosis and its medications. The VA will need to provide a supplemental opinion from a somnologist or pulmonologist.

The Board has remanded the case to address whether a separate disability rating should be assigned for fatigue associated with the service-connected sarcoidosis, and to determine the appropriate diagnostic code to rate the Veteran's fatigue.

The Board has reconsidered the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, residuals of a recurrent anal fissure, sarcoidosis with sleep apnea, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and cyst removal scar. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination results and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, PTSD, chronic cephalgia, and right eye conjunctival laceration is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and right knee strain with limited flexion and painful motion are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to address service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, which may be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. A VA examination is needed to determine this.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disability and sarcoidosis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from private facilities and VA treatment centers, and schedule a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, as well as his claim for pain in the chest and ribs related to his hypertension. The cases are being remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's left hemothorax and small mediastinum with sarcoidosis, which was included in his previously service-connected condition, is rated at a 30 percent disability level from July 31, 2007 to September 24, 2009. This rating is based on the Veteran's persistent symptoms requiring chronic low dose corticosteroids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's sarcoidosis rating is increased to 60 percent, but no higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his right lung sarcoidosis. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's asthma was related to radiation exposure or secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis, nor could it be established as directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity tarsal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of stroke is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity disability, to include as secondary to service-connected LLE tarsal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for sinusitis is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder rotator cuff (RTC) tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis is rated at 30 percent, which requires low dose corticosteroids and corresponds to a COPD rating.

The Veteran's application for a grant of specially adapted housing or special home adaptation was denied as he does not meet the criteria under VA regulations, specifically due to his service-connected sarcoidosis not being caused by an inhalation injury.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence, as the Veteran's statements about in-service noise exposure were not considered new.,The Board found no current diagnosis of sarcoidosis and denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis requires him to use continuous outpatient oxygen therapy and makes him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU rating from May 24, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for squamous cell carcinoma of the head/neck and sarcoidosis have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted.