Tuberculosis decisions — 2011

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for service-connected burial benefits.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of right shoulder disability and pulmonary tuberculosis, both of which are not related to his military service. The Veteran's low back disability claim will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed pulmonary tuberculosis and asthma. The Board will also determine if there was any aggravation of pre-existing conditions in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis does not warrant a compensable rating as his current respiratory impairment is related to nonservice-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his respiratory capacity is related to his nonservice-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for PTB. The claim of new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a tailbone fracture, tuberculosis, and dental trauma. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a right fourth toe fracture was also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's respiratory disabilities other than pleurisy, including bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, asthma, tuberculosis in remission and sleep apnea are causally related to his active service. The left ear hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The appellant's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound were also denied.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis with segmental resection of the left upper lobe, as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The October 1970 rating decision denied service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that the disease existed prior to service and was not aggravated therein. The Veteran's claim is being reopened based on new evidence submitted since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected inactive, moderately advanced pulmonary tuberculosis warrants a 30 percent disability rating since January 2004 and no higher.

The Board found no evidence of current tuberculosis, cardiovascular disorder, or parasthesia of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's positive PPD test during service is not considered a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date, increased rating, and service connection are denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, head injury residuals, and tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis, diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disability (depression) are all related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right upper lobectomy is at least as likely as not attributable to an acute TB infection during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in July/August 1953, and grants service connection for the residuals of tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral ankle, hip, leg, hearing loss, lung disability (other than pulmonary tuberculosis), skin disability, psychiatric disability (PTSD), and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death is not related to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.