Sarcoidosis decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of DLCO (SB) test results, which are important for evaluating the Veteran's sarcoidosis/pulmonary fibrosis. The VA will obtain additional medical records and arrange for an examination to determine if DLCO testing is useful in this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and sarcoidosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis of the liver is granted as service connected, linked to his active duty service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis is rated at 30 percent prior to September 26, 2015 and at 60 percent from that date onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis but remanded the issue of sleep apnea due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding its pre-service existence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and chronic kidney disease due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case requires further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking an advisory medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to November 28, 2006, on an extraschedular basis due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities alone or in combination precluded him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent from October 11, 2016. A compensable rating for sarcoidosis has been granted. The Veteran was also awarded a TDIU effective October 11, 2016. However, the issues of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal and pulmonary conditions, including conducting new VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his lumbar spine strain, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee chondromalacia patella, right ankle strain (status-post surgery), and pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted service connection, but the residuals of a right great toe injury are remanded for further development.

The Board remands the matters for additional development, including verification of service and obtaining updated medical records.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed as you withdrew your claims and appeals in a September 2020 letter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a finding of clear and unmistakable error in rating decisions from March and August 1964, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement. The claim for higher SMC was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis may have caused or aggravated his diagnosed sleep apnea, and whether there is a link between his Gulf War deployments and his sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as secondary to sarcoidosis. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his exposure to smoke and particulate matter during active service.