Tuberculosis decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's tuberculosis of the spine existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a lung disability, specifically Tuberculosis (TB). The VA is instructed to locate and associate all relevant military personnel records and service treatment records from 1952 to 1954.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a positive tuberculosis test and head injuries have been denied. The claim for increased rating for service-connected scar residuals of varicose vein stripping, left lower extremity is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus disability had its onset during service and is therefore granted. The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a chronic disability associated with a positive tuberculosis tine test, and denied all other claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis, moderately advanced, arrested, status post segmental resection of the right upper lobe is being remanded due to scheduling issues with VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with an addendum opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung condition (claimed as tuberculosis).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been found unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is granted as of June 27, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and determining if organic aphonia is related to his service-connected asthma with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis, which was found to be a significant contributing factor to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (pulmonary tuberculosis, fracture of the right radius, and varicose veins in the right leg) do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 9, 2009, for a 30 percent rating for service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for tuberculosis and hepatitis, citing dissatisfaction with the outcome or decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and thus denied DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) or any of its residuals, and therefore, service connection for TB and its residuals is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain updated medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations. The Board will consider all evidence and legal criteria, including those set forth at 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3), before making a final determination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are granted with a total disability rating due to the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD, TB, pneumonia, and atypical mycobacterial infection, are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service or any exposure to herbicides or asbestos.