Sarcoidosis decisions — 2000

The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to inadequate evidence and the need for further examination. The case will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Board found that the veteran did not develop a respiratory disability, including sarcoidosis, in service or within one year of his service discharge. The preponderance of medical evidence established that any respiratory issues were not related to service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of sarcoidosis, but granted a 30% evaluation for atopic dermatitis prior to June 26, 1998. The increased evaluation for atopic diathesis with mild xerosis after that date was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and a higher rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to an incident of service or to a service-connected disability. The issue of a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability evaluation, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, sarcoidosis, berylliosis, chronic bronchitis, and fatigue. The issues of service connection for these conditions are determined to be direct based on evidence showing they were incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date prior to August 21, 1997 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and sarcoidal granulomas of both lower extremities with patches of alopecia, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective from when the claim was filed.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his in-service diagnosis to his death.

The VA determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his pulmonary function tests showed FEV-1 of 83 percent predicted and FEV-1/FVC at 100 percent. The condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The new evidence submitted since the 1991 decision is not considered material to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis and non-service-connected pension benefits, finding that his current manifestations of the condition do not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating under either the old or new rating criteria. The claim for an increase in disability rating was denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected sarcoidosis disability is severe enough to prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected chronic systemic sarcoidosis and impairment of the sensory branch of the right trigeminal nerve, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.