Tuberculosis decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed substantially or materially to by his service-connected tuberculosis disability. The primary cause of death due to respiratory failure from pneumonia with underlying septic shock, and other conditions contributing to death such as congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is not shown by the competent evidence of record to be related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis, including residuals of prophylactic treatment with Isoniazid (INH) after a positive tine test, is being remanded to the RO/AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to appear at the scheduled hearing. She requested a rescheduling of her hearing because she needed to care for her grandson.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, as the additional evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with COPD was granted, effective from March 3, 2006. Service connection for residuals of shell fragment wound of the lung is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The Veteran's tuberculosis is being evaluated, and service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for osteochondroma right femur, pulmonary tuberculosis, obstruction of teeth, and chronic colon/irritable bowel problems have been granted. The claims were reopened based on new evidence but the merits of these claims are not addressed as no new facts were provided.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis and COPD have been granted a 60 percent disability rating effective March 26, 2013. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been maintained prior to March 26, 2013, and the higher initial rating from that date onwards is also granted. Service connection for heart disabilities secondary to residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis is established.

The Veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis was rated at 50 percent since August 22, 2013. The Board found that the condition is inactive and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the cause of death (chronic renal insufficiency) was not related to the appellant's spouse's recognized Philippine guerrilla service. The other conditions claimed by the appellant were also not shown to be related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and a compensable rating for pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that neither condition contributed substantially to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability manifested by shortness of breath to include tuberculosis (TB) and an asbestos related disease, finding that there is no evidence of a current underlying respiratory disability or active tuberculosis during service. The Board also found that there was no objective evidence of any current asbestos-related disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disability due to disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of tuberculosis or any chronic respiratory disability, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a statement of the case for his service connection claim. His increased rating claim will also be readjudicated.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability or a disability of service origin. The Board found that the Veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis, which led to his death, was not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new examination and review of medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the newly gathered evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected inactive pleurisy and tuberculosis with effusion did not cause or contribute to his death from emphysema.