Tuberculosis decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis with asthma and pneumonitis, finding no new and material evidence presented.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 60 percent for his service-connected chronic pulmonary tuberculosis (CPT) with fibrothorax, pulmonary hypertension and pleural plaquing from July 15, 1989, based on evidence showing extensive pleural adhesions, marked restriction of respiratory excursions and chest deformity intractable to treatment. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disability.

The VA has determined that the appellant's lung disability, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis residuals, and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including as due to exposure to chemical dioxins in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the claim for non-service connected death pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, cardiac arrest and anoxic brain injury, was not caused by his service-connected tuberculosis or any other service-connected condition. The Board also noted there was no evidence to support a finding of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's calcified left hilar nodule is considered a residual of tuberculosis exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no diagnosed disability of active tuberculosis or right ear hearing loss during service, within three years following discharge, or at any time since service. The Veteran's positive PPD test does not constitute a diagnosed disability for which service connection may be established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and pulmonary tuberculosis, inactive with associated bronchiectasis of the right upper lobe.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's death is presumed to be related to his military service, specifically his exposure to tuberculosis during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder other than tuberculosis and tuberculosis are not related to service, with no evidence of active disease or treatment during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis, which is related to his time as a POW. The cause of death is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a positive tuberculosis test is denied as there is no evidence of active tuberculosis during service or within the first three years after service.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied as the Veteran did not provide competent medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected pleural tuberculosis aggravated his fatal abdominal aortic aneurysm, which contributed to his death. The claim is granted.

The Board finds that active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) has not been demonstrated either in service or at any time thereafter, and therefore the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the cause of death, pneumonia due to influenza, was not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to service or any service-connected condition. The Veteran's tuberculosis, if present at all, did not have a service connection.

The Veteran's inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with a tender thoracotomy scar has been rated at 30 percent since April 18, 2012. Prior to that date, the rating was 60 percent.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, including tuberculosis and pulmonary disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's current pulmonary symptoms are not related to his service-connected inactive minimal pulmonary tuberculosis, and thus denied a compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis contributed substantially or materially to his death from respiratory failure due to pneumonia and acute myelogenous leukemia.