Sarcoidosis decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the cases of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for sarcoidosis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's symptoms and treatment during the claim period need further clarification.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his dermatophytosis of the feet, stomach/ulcer condition, and sarcoidosis. The Board is seeking clarification on whether these conditions are related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Howard Regional Hospital System from May 19, 2005, to May 31, 2005, are granted as the treatment was for a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis, right shoulder disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, the Board requested an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's sarcoidosis is related to his service-connected hepatitis B or secondary to chemical and herbicide exposure during service. They also requested examinations for the right shoulder disorder and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional examinations. Separate ratings are requested based on distinct disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for pulmonary sarcoidosis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal to revise the June 2007 and April 2011 rating decisions was denied. The June 2007 decision did not grant service connection for prostate cancer, while the April 2011 decision did not award SMC at the housebound rate due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there is no evidence showing a relationship between his current condition and his military service or herbicide exposure. The Board also noted that sarcoidosis is not one of the diseases presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to various issues, including asbestos exposure and its relation to sarcoidosis, as well as his bilateral ankle disabilities and hearing loss. The VA is directed to conduct further development in these areas.

Sarcoidosis was initially granted an initial rating of 30 percent from February 20, 2013 to February 6, 2023.,Sarcoidosis was granted a higher initial rating of 100 percent as of February 7, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the right and left fingers, including sarcoidosis of the nails, are denied as there is no evidence showing a relationship to active service or any incident of service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease. The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis of the right lower lip is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, back condition, and left knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his sarcoidosis (pulmonary) was denied by the Board, as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.