Sarcoidosis Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and shin splints. Service connection was granted for the Veteran's plantar fasciitis but not for her claimed shin splints or sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis (claimed as liver disease) is not service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's liver condition is more likely due to multiple etiologies including obesity, alcohol use, and medications rather than military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for right knee disability and a diagnosis of PTSD are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his sarcoidosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the disorder or any other mental health disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and Boeck's sarcoidosis were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and SSA records. The Veteran's sarcoidosis disability is to be evaluated by a VA examiner who will assess its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis, malignant melanoma, and a right abdominal scar (secondary to malignant melanoma) have been granted. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis and the scars are considered direct service connections.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his FEV-1/FVC was within the range for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings for service-connected hypertension and sarcoidosis. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 20 percent, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on objective blood pressure readings.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal respiratory and cardiac disabilities to active service. The appellant's claim for sarcoidosis due to herbicide exposure is also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's sarcoidosis had its onset during service or within one year of service discharge, and grants service connection for sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for sarcoidosis, fatigue, and a right knee disability. Additional development is required including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis was not present during service and is not related to military service, including Gulf War service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected left ankle disability. The substantive appeal regarding sarcoidosis was also found to be untimely.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's non-service-connected disabilities, including COPD and sarcoidosis, do not render him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes prior to February 18, 2015.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's skin disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II, and his military service. The conditions are determined to be related to periods of inactive duty.

The Veteran's initial rating for sarcoidosis was reduced from 30 percent to 0 percent effective September 1, 2009. The Board has restored the 30 percent disability rating as it is determined that there is no evidence of improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.