Sarcoidosis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's sarcoidosis of the lung was granted a 60% rating from March 19, 2015 to December 1, 2016 and a 100% rating since December 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding its relationship to his combat service.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder including sarcoidosis, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is also granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and pulmonary sarcoidosis, as these conditions may be related to his military service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are linked to his time in service.

The Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis was evaluated under Diagnostic Codes 6846 and 6600. The VA determined that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating, specifically due to lack of significant impairment such as cor pulmonale, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, acute respiratory failure, cardiac involvement with chronic congestive heart failure, or progressive pulmonary disease with fever, night sweats, and weight loss despite treatment. The Veteran's condition was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination. The Veteran's sarcoidosis is presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis (to include sleep apnea) was granted a disability rating of 60 percent from May 19, 2009 to July 16, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the lung condition and hearing loss. The Board will schedule a VA examination to determine if the lung condition is related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer (due to herbicide exposure), and sarcoidosis (due to herbicide exposure) as they are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition has been reopened and granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia, right knee is denied. A 20 percent disability rating is granted prior to August 31, 2015, and a 100 percent disability rating is granted from August 31, 2015 to August 31, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection with effective dates of July 30, 2016, and September 25, 2013 respectively.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient evidence to decide the case. The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple sclerosis and sarcoidosis are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder and sarcoidosis have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for sinusitis, GERD, and a higher rating than 30 percent for sarcoidosis with pulmonary/sinonasal involvement are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.