Sarcoidosis decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's chest pain, diagnosed as costochondritis and sarcoidosis, was incurred during active duty for training. The disability is considered well grounded and service connection is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, TDIU, and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of aid and attendance or on account of being housebound were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected hypertension and pulmonary sarcoidosis with mild restrictive lung disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The VA determined that the appellant's pulmonary nodular sarcoidosis is currently stable and does not warrant an increased rating above the current 10 percent level.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims and rating evaluations, including PTSD.

The RO denied increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected plantar warts of the feet and keratoderma of the hands, as well as his claim for service connection for sarcoidosis.,The RO also granted an increased rating from 10 to 30 percent for the appellant's service-connected plantar warts of the feet effective January 27, 1997.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $12,054.87 and whether the overpayment was properly created.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 10, 1996, for a 60 percent evaluation of service-connected sarcoidosis.

The veteran claims service connection for a left eye disorder, characterized as sarcoid uveitis. The Board finds that the case must be remanded to notify the veteran of the need to submit medical records supporting his reported 1983 diagnosis of sarcoidosis and to suggest he submit treatment records from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for sarcoidosis, carpal tunnel syndrome (right and left upper extremities), temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and bleeding gums are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is currently rated at 30 percent, which requires the use of a nasal inhaler containing a corticosteroid.

The Board granted service connection for sarcoid arthritis of multiple joints and unspecified pneumoconiosis, sarcoidosis. The effective dates were set at July 20, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis as not well grounded, due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for Boeck's sarcoidosis with tuberculosis bronchial lymph node and a compensable rating for hepatitis. The veteran's hepatitis is resolved and asymptomatic, with no objective clinical evidence of demonstrable liver damage or mild gastrointestinal disturbance secondary to hepatitis.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the entitlement to increased ratings for synovitis of both knees. The issues related to service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis were addressed in a separate issue.