Tuberculosis decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected tuberculosis is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the claim for accrued benefits is denied. The veteran did not meet the basic eligibility criteria for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The veteran seeks an effective date earlier than November 4, 1997 for the award of a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability. The Board finds that such an earlier effective date is legally precluded as the veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a total rating prior to this date and there was no service-connected disability at issue.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, pulmonary tuberculosis, was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a lung condition during service or within the first three post-service years, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the veteran's service-connected kidney disability and his claimed degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied both his claim for service connection and his eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence linking the cause of death to service or service-connected conditions, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the decedent's death to his service-connected condition. The appellant was also not found eligible for non-service-connected death pension benefits.