Sarcoidosis decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her sarcoidosis and a compensable evaluation for the residuals of a fracture of the second toe, right foot with traumatic arthritis were considered. The RO reduced the rating assigned to her sarcoidosis from 30 percent to 10 percent effective May 1, 1995, and from 60 percent to 30 percent effective March 1, 2006. Her claims for increased evaluations of her sarcoidosis were denied as there was no evidence showing that the disability warranted a higher evaluation during the periods in question. The claim for an increased evaluation for the residuals of the fracture of the second toe, right foot with traumatic arthritis was also denied.

The veteran's respiratory condition is currently rated at 30 percent since September 22, 1999. Her skin condition has been rated at 10 percent since April 1, 1992.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection to include pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. � 1117, due to the need for further examination and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The VA denied an increased rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for sarcoidosis, which was previously rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred or aggravated during service and is otherwise unrelated to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's sarcoidosis, manifested by sarcoid uveitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to be related to service.

The veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability, sarcoidosis, and hemorrhoids have been denied.,For the cervical spine, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or chronic orthopedic and neurologic manifestations that would justify such a higher evaluation.,For sarcoidosis, a compensable rating is not warranted due to lack of persistent symptoms requiring maintenance or intermittent corticosteroids.,For hemorrhoids, the veteran's disability picture more closely resembles large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with frequent recurrences.

The veteran's sarcoidosis was rated at 60 percent from June 21, 2002 to September 9, 2002. From that date forward, the veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for his sarcoidosis. The veteran's GERD has been rated as noncompensably disabling since the effective date of service connection. Pseudofolliculitis barbae and dermatofibroma of the legs have not met criteria for compensable ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for venipuncture, postoperative residuals of an inguinal hernia, and sarcoidosis. The decision found that there was no current disability related to these conditions, and thus denied all three claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not related to any aspect of his service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with prior remand instructions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening service connection were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or new and material evidence to reopen service connection.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and granted a 10 percent initial rating for sarcoidosis as of November 28, 2000. The veteran's sarcoidosis results in FEV-1 values between 71 and 80 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC values between 71 and 80 percent during service and since his separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcers, arthritis of multiple joints, and pulmonary sarcoidosis with exercise-induced asthma. The decision also addressed the evaluation of osteoarthritis of the spine but did not assign a specific rating as it pertained to different periods.