Sarcoidosis decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for proper application of the correct diagnostic code and potential VCAA notification issues.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings and compensable evaluations for his service-connected disabilities due to his withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and assigned a 60 percent disability rating for sarcoidosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, including fatigue and stiffness of the joints of the hands, fingers, and legs, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than June 1, 1998, for a grant of service connection for sarcoidosis, arthritis of the second finger of the left hand, hypertension, degenerative changes of the right acromioclavicular joint, hemorrhoids, second degree burns on the second and third fingers, and residuals of a broken fifth finger of the right hand.

The Board found that the veteran's sarcoidosis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it was not severe enough to warrant a 60% or 100% evaluation under VA's diagnostic codes. The current 30% rating remains in effect.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema/lung disorder, finding that his current lung diseases were not incurred or aggravated in service and are unrelated to any incident of service.

The Board denied service connection for both the claimed innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (paranoid schizophrenia) and sarcoidosis, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or due to any event in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional VA medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's sarcoidosis is likely to have developed during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after service. The VA examiner and staff pulmonologist concluded that there were no indications of sarcoidosis in the veteran's service medical records.

The veteran's appeal is about his current level of disability from service-connected sarcoidosis, which was evaluated at 30 percent. The Board has ordered additional development to assess the extent of this disability and determine if a total rating based on individual unemployability should be considered.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include recurrent pneumothorax with associated sarcoidosis, finding that the veteran's symptoms began in or were aggravated by service.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis, currently rated at 30 percent. The criteria used to evaluate the disability were not more favorable to the veteran.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues, including the relationship between the veteran's sarcoidosis and exposure to Agent Orange during military service.