{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/sarcoidosis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:04.129Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Sarcoidosis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":959,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21.3,"denied_pct":23,"remanded_pct":54.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":48,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":51,"granted_pct":13.7,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":45.1},{"year":2018,"issues":74,"granted_pct":9.5,"denied_pct":25.7,"remanded_pct":62.2},{"year":2019,"issues":112,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":20.5,"remanded_pct":58},{"year":2020,"issues":99,"granted_pct":15.2,"denied_pct":22.2,"remanded_pct":61.6},{"year":2021,"issues":108,"granted_pct":21.3,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2022,"issues":133,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":21.8,"remanded_pct":57.1},{"year":2023,"issues":123,"granted_pct":23.6,"denied_pct":23.6,"remanded_pct":52},{"year":2024,"issues":113,"granted_pct":24.8,"denied_pct":18.6,"remanded_pct":54},{"year":2025,"issues":122,"granted_pct":32,"denied_pct":23.8,"remanded_pct":43.4},{"year":2026,"issues":40,"granted_pct":22.5,"denied_pct":17.5,"remanded_pct":57.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":69.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":112,"granted_pct_with":74.4,"granted_pct_without":42.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":707,"granted_pct_with":45.5,"granted_pct_without":61.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":203,"granted_pct_with":81.9,"granted_pct_without":31.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":516,"granted_pct_with":45.6,"granted_pct_without":51.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":382,"granted_pct_with":60.9,"granted_pct_without":36.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":76,"granted_pct_with":71.1,"granted_pct_without":45.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":753,"granted_pct_with":43.2,"granted_pct_without":71.8},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":42,"granted_pct_with":73.3,"granted_pct_without":47.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":25},{"reason":"pact act presumptive service connection","decisions":6},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":4},{"reason":"pact act presumption applies","decisions":3},{"reason":"exposure to contaminated water at camp lejeune","decisions":2},{"reason":"manifested within presumptive period","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":30},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":25},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":23},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":11},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":8},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":7}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040955","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"Criteria for 10 percent rating met; Evidence shows FEV-1/FVC ratio between 71-80%"},{"case_id":"26004781","year":2026,"judge":"G. E. WILKERSON","rationale":"Granted pursuant to PACT Act; Veteran served in Southwest Asia theater of operations; Presumed exposure to airborne hazards from burn pits"},{"case_id":"A26030916","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER SEPPANEN","rationale":"Favorable findings by RO: diagnosed disability, August 2024 VA exam shows sarcoidosis, service records show probability of asbestos exposure, TERA participation conceded.; Conflicting medical opinions: July 2023 VA opinion was less likely than not caused by TERA but lacked explanation; June 2024 pri… [truncated, 128 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037636","year":2026,"judge":"M. M. CELLI","rationale":"VA examination found sarcoidosis less likely than not caused by TERA.; Diagnosis occurred over three decades after service.; Veteran did not serve in PACT Act qualifying locations for presumptive sarcoidosis."},{"case_id":"A26035919","year":2026,"judge":"J. PARKER","rationale":"Symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings under DC 6846 or 6600; Did not require corticosteroid treatment or demonstrate significant pulmonary impairment; Pulmonary function tests did not meet criteria for compensable rating"},{"case_id":"26004171","year":2026,"judge":"M. PRYCE","rationale":"No current diagnosis of sarcoidosis or chronic respiratory condition; Early records indicated a differential diagnosis, not a confirmed diagnosis; Most persuasive evidence (2025/2026 exams) found no objective evidence or diagnosis"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}