Tuberculosis decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The February 2007 rating decision is final, as no new or material evidence was received within one year of the denial.

The Veteran's service connection claim for latent tuberculosis was denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability, and the positive skin test alone does not constitute a compensable condition.

The Veteran's tuberculosis claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition.

The Board found no evidence of tuberculosis during service and concluded that the current diagnosis is not related to military service. The claim for service connection for tuberculosis was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis was denied as there is no evidence of active tuberculosis during or following military service.

The Board has noted that additional evidence was submitted during a July 2014 Travel Board hearing and has requested its association with the electronic claims file. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and headaches, as well as his request to connect tuberculosis residuals to service, is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's pre-existing acquired psychiatric disorder was permanently aggravated by his second period of active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His asthma and tuberculosis claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms and medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for positive tuberculin PPD, nonspecific reaction, without active tuberculosis was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for internal hemorrhoids was granted with a rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tuberculosis, bronchitis/a respiratory disorder other than tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, and a left knee disability. The Board found that he did not have or develop any chronic disabilities during his military service.

The Veteran's left varicocelectomy residuals are productive of daytime voiding between 1-2 hours, warranting a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7599-7525.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pulmonary tuberculosis status post thoracotomy with lobectomy was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability manifested to a degree warranting a higher evaluation. The claim for a separate rating for a rib resection was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim of service connection for low testosterone, claimed as a hormonal imbalance, was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing the Veteran with an opportunity to submit medical opinions regarding his respiratory disorders, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis, minimal inactive, with COPD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 17, 2014.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardio-respiratory arrest, with an underlying cause of COPD and antecedent cause of old age (pneumonia). The Appellant filed her claims for accrued benefits over one year after the Veteran's death. Therefore, she does not meet the legal criteria to claim entitlement to basic eligibility for accrued benefits.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and did not reopen the claim for tuberculosis. The Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service injuries are deemed not credible, and no new evidence has been submitted that would raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of active tuberculosis or disabling residuals of exposure to tuberculosis. The Veteran's staph infection was diagnosed during service and the Board finds it less likely than not related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's histoplasmosis of the right lung is manifested by intermittent dyspnea and hoarseness, but no active symptoms or significant pulmonary impairment. The Board finds that a compensable rating for this condition is not warranted.