The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for sarcoidosis and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as her TDIU claim. The VA examinations are needed to address whether the Veteran’s sarcoidosis affects her brain and if it causes or aggravates any psychiatric disorders. Additionally, the AOJ should obtain all relevant treatment records from the Alvin C. York VAMC and invite the Veteran to submit any record of conversations with Ms. Shipley.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current VA examinations are inadequate for rating purposes due to a lack of consideration regarding whether the Veteran's sarcoidosis has affected her brain, which is relevant to her service-connected disability. The TDIU claim may also depend on the outcome of the psychiatric disorder claim and should be deferred until these issues are resolved.
- Claimed conditions
- sarcoidosis, acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19173484
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19173484.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis as new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for major depressive disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and a gastrointestinal disability due to untimeliness of the VA Form 10182. The appeal for service connection for sarcoidosis was denied based on the lack of evidence supporting a current disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis as additional development is necessary.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to correct a duty to assist error, requiring further examination and review of private treatment records.
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