Sarcoidosis Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the form of medical opinions and examinations to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder has been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension is also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for pulmonary sarcoidosis were granted at 60 percent from August 22, 2004 to November 30, 2004 and April 7, 2005 to November 17, 2013. The Veteran was also granted a TDIU prior to November 18, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and potential need for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it did not present with near-constant symptoms or chronic osteomyelitis following radical surgery. The current 30 percent rating is maintained.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current sarcoidosis disability is related to his military service, including exposure to jet fuel fumes. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder, vision disorder, back disability, sarcoidosis manifestations, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disease, sleep apnea, black outs, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in active service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation is 100 percent from November 1, 1995. The Board has granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, a left arm disorder, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish an in-service event or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 21, 2012, and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The effective date for the increase in evaluation is not specified.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis was found to have its inception during his period of active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,His claim for a low back disability was reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact (the continuity of symptomatology since service).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis with arthritis, celiac spruce and anemia (claimed as weakened/vulnerable immune system and stomach problems), diabetes mellitus, type II due to Agent Orange exposure, and peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure and service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding whether sarcoidosis is related to service or if it was proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sarcoidosis with bronchiectasis is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and glaucoma has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.