Tuberculosis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's disability, residuals of inactive tuberculosis, granuloma of the right lung, is rated at 100 percent effective November 2, 2015.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a positive tuberculosis test or low back disability. The claim for left ear hearing loss disability is not established as there is no competent and probative evidence linking it to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis, TB fibers of the left testicle and prostate, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and VA treatment records. The issues of increased PTSD rating and TDIU are part and parcel.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial compensable ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the remaining claims due to lack of appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his TDIU claim. The Board finds that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the extent of social and occupational functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a left eye disability, and tuberculosis as there is no evidence of current disabilities or residuals thereof.

The Veteran's positive PPD test during service does not constitute a diagnosis of active tuberculosis. The Board finds no evidence of current disability or clinically significant disorder related to the positive PPD test, and there is no probative evidence of any active pulmonary symptomatology attributed to tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis and hypertension, as well as the special monthly compensation awards based on loss of use of a creative organ and system, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss prior to March 26, 2012 and for a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the extent of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is reasonably contemplated by the VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis was previously denied, but new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The claim is therefore reopened.,The Veteran's claim for a prior effective date for his skin tags rating is denied as there is no indication of an increase in disability warranting such a retroactive adjustment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CVA and hypertension, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The claim to reopen the issue of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for cervical spine disability, tuberculosis, and eczema of the legs and feet. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea was incurred during his active duty, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.