Tuberculosis decisions — 2010

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a lung disability (including tuberculosis), pain and weakness in the arms, back, and legs, loss of balance, loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing, bleeding gums and an oral rash, and a heart disability. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination reports and incomplete service records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate active pulmonary tuberculosis within the last six years, and therefore, the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6721 have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis is inactive and has no active symptoms. The Board finds that the current disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and because adjudication of the tuberculosis claim may impact the depression claim. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered, including obtaining additional treatment records from the Charleston VAMC.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disability, pulmonary tuberculosis, inactive, with restrictive ventilatory defect and residual lung fibrosis. The Board finds that the negative evidence outweighs the positive and concludes that the Veteran's death is not related to his service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examination. The issue of a compensable evaluation for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis status post pneumonectomy remains denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for cause of death. The Appellant is also denied legal entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), both of which were not service-connected. The Board found that the conditions did not occur during or due to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a respiratory disability to include pulmonary tuberculosis and emphysema, a lumbar spine disorder, a bilateral arm disorder, and a visual disorder. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a respiratory disability due to his psychiatric disability other than PTSD was referred to the RO.

The Veteran's service treatment records show a positive tuberculosis test, but no current diagnosis of tuberculosis or related disability. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which he can seek service connection.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including tuberculosis and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis was not incurred in or aggravated during active service and is not shown to be causally related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's tuberculosis is inactive and stable, with no marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization. The current 30 percent rating for tuberculosis is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's service as a POW, and further development is needed.

The Board denied the appellant's requests to reopen her claims for service connection for the cause of death and nonservice-connected death pension benefits, finding that no new evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, far advanced, and for entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA and private treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after securing this information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining medical records and Reserve records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of his reserve component records and additional clinical records.