Sarcoidosis decisions — 2010

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on the issues of increased evaluations for her service-connected major depressive disorder, sarcoidosis with asthma, migraine headaches and hypertension; as well as entitlement to service connection for sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is denied because he does not have a service-connected disability that requires the use of a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, nor one requiring medication for irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional medical evidence. The claim will be reconsidered after these requirements are met.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sarcoidosis, which he contends is due to exposure to Agent Orange while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. The RO denied this claim as sarcoidosis is not among the diseases or disorders eligible for presumptive service connection based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the Board denied both DIC benefits and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Boeck's sarcoidosis, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, was denied by the Board. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pulmonary and cutaneous sarcoidosis, hypertension, diabetes insipidus, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, render him unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis first manifested within one year of his discharge from service and is therefore presumed to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that noise exposure during reserve duty more likely contributed to these conditions. The claim for sarcoidosis was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service occurrence. The eye disorder claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination and missing treatment records, as well as the need for a hearing on her sarcoidosis claim.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disorders, low back disorder, and PTSD have been previously denied. New evidence has not raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's right foot and heel disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's lung disabilities, including emphysema and sarcoidosis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that the most probative evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The July 2003 rating decision denied service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that it was not a presumptive disease and the evidence did not establish a direct nexus to service. The Veteran's claim is now being reopened based on new evidence.