Sarcoidosis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted. The claim for an increased rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability are denied. The claims for sinusitis and sarcoidosis have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, sarcoidosis, bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral knee disorder, and a low back disorder due to his death.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis and tinnitus are found to be service-connected, while his bilateral hearing loss is not.,Service connection for sarcoidosis and tinnitus has been granted based on in-service exposure and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and zinc chromate during service, as well as his diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The VA is instructed to obtain necessary records and conduct a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and evidence. The issues include back disorder, plantar fasciitis, left knee scar with keloid, and sarcoidosis.

The Board has ordered a new VA medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sarcoidosis, which is currently considered a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted as service-connected, with a grant of TDIU effective October 6, 2011.,The Veteran's hypogonadism secondary to sarcoidosis is also granted. The initial rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted at 20 percent each from October 6, 2011.,Diabetes mellitus remains denied as a higher rating than 20 percent prior to November 4, 2017 and since that date. Renal insufficiency remains denied as a higher rating than 80 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there was no evidence of early manifestations of the condition during service and no link to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The current diagnosis is considered unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as VA did not obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sarcoidosis and related lung disability. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, sarcoidosis, heart disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder, and kidney disorders are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions. The appeal is for reopening a claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, and determining if he was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU and a compensable rating for service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with a prior remand directive and an addendum opinion is required regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sarcoidosis and service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating, including asthma, depression, sarcoidosis, hydrocephalus, and left wrist injury. The Veteran is also requested to appear for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions, including right knee pain, urinary condition, skin condition, ovarian cyst, cervical spine strain, lumbar spine strain, and right shoulder myofascial pain syndrome.