Sarcoidosis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis warrants a 60 percent rating effective April 27, 2006. The condition is manifested by poor lung expansion and mild shortness of breath with minimal exertion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and chronic pericardial effusion, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is manifested by persistent symptoms requiring chronic high dose corticosteroids for control, which approximates the criteria for a 60 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and testing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and hypertension were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for tinea pedis was not granted, while the claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of both knees and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine were also not granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected sarcoidosis with lingular stenosis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His pulmonary sarcoidosis with residual pleurisy, asbestosis, COPD, left pleural thickening, and hepatic involvement are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated as 10 percent since December 11, 2008. He is also entitled to a separate rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, a lumbar spine disorder, allergies/hay fever, and hypertension. The Veteran's sarcoidosis was not found to be incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of exposure to any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disability manifested by kidney stones is not considered a current diagnosis and was denied. The Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis, however, has been service-connected as related to his COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sarcoidosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that the claim was received on April 15, 1999, which is when VA first received a formal or informal claim. The Veteran's military service ended in September 1970, and he did not file a claim within one year of discharge.

The Board has referred the case to a specialist for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran should have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis, silicosis or some other disability due to in-service exposure to paint and dust. The appellant submitted additional evidence which led to a second medical opinion. The appeal is now remanded for further consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and vitiligo, both linked to exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service, are being remanded due to the lack of verification of his additional reserve service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability have been granted increased ratings, and he is now eligible for a TDIU based on his combined evaluation of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death. The April 2004 rating decision denied service connection due to lack of evidence showing sarcoidosis onset within one year after discharge, and because it was not related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis due to new evidence. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated at 10 percent, but this rating is denied as there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or fissures.