Tuberculosis decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for bilateral foot disorders, major depressive disorder, right knee and left knee arthritis, skin disorder (claimed as from shaving), allergic rhinitis, and headaches. The specific nature and etiology of these conditions will be determined through further medical examination.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis contributed to his death. The cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, chronic systolic heart failure, and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis and traumatic brain injury due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's positive PPD tests did not result in a diagnosed disability, and active tuberculosis was not shown within three years of discharge. For TBI, the Veteran should undergo a scar examination to determine if there is any residual scarring related to an in-service laceration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lupus, tuberculosis, bone spurs, optical condition, hernias, sleep issues, and mental conditions have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board denied service connection for tuberculosis as there is no current diagnosis of active or residual tuberculosis, and the positive skin test from in-service was not shown to have caused any current disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for otitis media was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for the right shoulder disorder was reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it is neither proximately due to nor aggravated by diabetes mellitus type 2, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s back disorder is remanded for further development of evidence regarding in-service and post-service pain.,The Veteran’s left ankle disorder is remanded for a medical opinion addressing his reports of ankle pain following service.,The Veteran’s right ankle disorder is remanded for a medical opinion addressing the relationship between favoring his left ankle and his current right ankle disorder.,The Veteran’s tuberculosis claim requires a VA examination to determine if it may be related to in-service treatment at Fort Polk, Louisiana.,The Veteran’s skin disorder is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether his lay statements of continued symptoms since service are supported by medical evidence.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood) is remanded for a medical opinion regarding the possibility of prior diagnoses related to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 rating claim is remanded for assignment of an effective date prior to March 14, 2006.,The Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for initial ratings and effective dates.,The Veteran’s back examination will include assessment of any neuropathy symptoms related to the back.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension because he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a previous Court decision that found the TDIU claim had not been raised by the record. The Veteran is service-connected for genitourinary tuberculosis, painful scar residuals from heminephrectomy, and erectile dysfunction. The combined rating is 60 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU but raises the issue of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for consideration of the assignment of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tuberculosis has been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sensitivity to light (photophobia).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a respiratory condition, and residuals of burns to the hands and legs. Service connection was also denied for malaria. The Veteran's claim for a back disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for tuberculosis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and his in-service tuberculosis exposure. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his COPD is related to his tuberculosis.

The appeal seeking service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, to include as due to agent orange exposure, is dismissed. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, alcoholism, and panic disorder with associated depression and agoraphobia are granted. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of a disability in the Veteran's service records or post-service treatment. The claims were not reopened due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), left shoulder condition, sleep apnea, cold injury residuals of the extremities, adenitis tuberculosis, and skin condition due to outstanding VA medical records.

The Board denied service connection for tuberculosis, finding no evidence of a current disability associated with the condition and concluding that it is not related to military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The appeals for respiratory disability and melanoma on the right side of the abdomen are remanded.