Tuberculosis decisions — 2015

All claims for service connection related to burns, kidney disorder, high cholesterol, positive tuberculosis test, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, hemorrhoids, scars, anemia, and asthma have been denied. The Veteran's skin condition is not currently diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's tuberculosis and lung cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation benefits due to their current ratings and lack of qualifying conditions.

The Veteran's inactive pulmonary tuberculosis does not more nearly approximate FEV-1(Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second) of 56 to 70 percent predicted; or FEV-1/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) of 56 to 70 percent; or Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) 56 to 65 percent predicted; and does not result in maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption (with cardiac or respiratory limitation), cor pulmonale, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, or episode(s) of acute respiratory failure; or requires outpatient oxygen therapy. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants were denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's lung disabilities, including COPD and pulmonary tuberculosis, are being remanded for further examination and determination of service connection.

The Veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis has not been manifested by far advanced lesions diagnosed at any time while the disease was active, and his current disability is characterized as a moderate obstructive respiratory condition.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for tuberculosis, hepatitis C, sexual dysfunction, and Type II diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain in-service medical records from Fort Field Hospital in Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Additionally, private treatment records from the Wellness Center/Dr. S.W. and Carter County Health Department in Ardmore, Oklahoma are needed.

The Veteran died from a cerebrovascular accident with contributing causes of hypertensive cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions were not related to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the claim to reopen his cause of death claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis is dismissed as a freestanding claim which is barred as a matter of law.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death prior to a decision, as it lacks jurisdiction over the case.

The Board has vacated the portion of its April 2012 decision that denied service connection for various disabilities, including a heart disorder, exposure to tuberculosis, right and left groin injuries, and foot disorders. The Veteran's request to withdraw issues related to these conditions is granted. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiorespiratory arrest due to hypertensive and coronary artery disease. The appellant does not have legal entitlement to VA benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status as her husband had no service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the Veteran's preexisting tuberculosis did not worsen during service and is less likely than not related to active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tuberculosis, hepatitis, chronic allergic conjunctivitis of the eyes, sinusitis, and heart murmur were granted. He was also granted a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis. The claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and inguinal hernia with right testicle pain is pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from May 10, 2011 is granted. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence to support reopening the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's tuberculosis and sleep apnea claims, as well as a need for clarification on whether he had active or latent tuberculosis. The sleep apnea claim also requires an opinion considering its relation to service-connected cervical spondylosis.