Sarcoidosis decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness, attributing it to sarcoidosis and degenerative joint disease. The claim of reopening PTSD was not addressed as no specific notice of disagreement regarding this issue had been filed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an updated VA examination and additional medical evidence. The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis is being evaluated for a disability evaluation greater than 30 percent.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's current cutaneous sarcoidosis to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin condition, and sarcoid arthritis due to exposure to Agent Orange. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was incurred as a result of interstitial lung disease that developed due to sarcoidosis and exposure to chemicals and fumes during service, warranting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent for dermatitis with cutaneous sarcoid of the chest, back, axillary region and medial portion of the thighs was denied. The issue regarding service connection for random calcium cells was not on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability resulting in individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to July 25, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability, and there is no evidence of service connection for sleep apnea or sarcoidosis. The preponderance of the evidence shows that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and sarcoidosis as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service exposure to fumes and his current respiratory conditions.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was reopened based on new and material evidence, but a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion.

The Veteran's sarcoid lung disease with restrictive pulmonary impairment was not found to warrant a rating higher than 60 percent from September 23, 2008.

The Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent rating for sarcoidosis due to FEV-1 less than 40 percent of the predicted value. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 have not been met.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his service-connected residuals of Hepatitis B infection, but no compensable rating for the service-connected sarcoid iritis/uveitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for sarcoidosis and residuals of thoracotomy, finding that these conditions were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.