Sarcoidosis — all decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is granted, and the effective date is set at February 19, 2016.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and pulmonary embolisms must be remanded due to a lack of a medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service, including his exposure to herbicide agents from his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis to obtain additional evidence regarding potential asbestos exposure during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and to obtain an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Board denied service connection for a left arm burn and remanded the claims for other conditions, including sarcoidosis, anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, back condition, lower extremities, degenerative joints, plantar fasciitis, alopecia, hypertension, respiratory conditions, hysterectomy, and genital herpes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and schizoaffective disorder have been granted. The claim for shortness of breath (sarcoidosis) is remanded, as is the claim for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD and service connection for sarcoidosis, while remanding the claims for a jaw disability, back disability, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and sarcoidosis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis was aggravated by his active duty service and whether it existed prior to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for blurred vision and sarcoidosis need to be reconsidered due to new evidence being submitted after the initial decision.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in August 2023 were inadequate and requires further examination for all issues on appeal. The Veteran needs to be re-examined for his bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, left knee disability, pulmonary and cutaneous sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee arthritis with meniscal tear prior to January 9, 2019 and after March 1, 2019 is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee replacement scar is also remanded. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee arthritis (status post replacement) is also remanded.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which the RO denied as not shown to be related to service. The issue is being remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.,The Veteran's claim for pulmonary sarcoidosis is being remanded due to possible exposure to asbestos and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right elbow disability, which the RO denied as not related to service. The issue is being remanded due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right wrist disability, which the RO denied as not related to service. The issue is being remanded due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.

The Veteran's pancreatic cancer and sarcoidosis are granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. The cause of death is also granted, with the pancreatic cancer being considered the immediate cause.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin condition and benign prostatic hypertrophy due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's skin conditions include cutaneous sarcoidosis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, xerosis, asteatotic eczema, and pityriasis rosea. The Board also found the medical opinions regarding the Veteran's BPH were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung conditions and exposure to asbestos. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 12, 2021.