Tuberculosis decisions — 2018

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to decide.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis residuals is denied. The appeal regarding the November 1991 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable evaluation for pulmonary tuberculosis is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including dental disorder, tuberculosis, high cholesterol, abnormal liver test, chronic fatigue syndrome, residuals of traumatic brain injury, bilateral hand numbness, bilateral foot numbness, spine disorder, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is rated at 60 percent effective from June 1, 1962. The rating will be increased to 100 percent effective from August 15, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his claimed conditions and finds insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the September 2008 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss is final, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for tuberculosis and service connection for an eye disability, finding that there was no current diagnosis of tuberculosis following moderately advanced lesions or any evidence linking his current eye condition to his time in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis and remanded the remaining issues to obtain additional VA treatment records, address the Veteran's assertions regarding his psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability, and schedule appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, tuberculosis, hypertension, and a thyroid disorder. The examination must consider the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during service and any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions or current diagnoses.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection, but his tuberculosis claim was denied as there is no current disability or evidence of active tuberculosis during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, pulmonary tuberculosis with COPD, and PTSD. However, it denied these claims as new evidence did not provide a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for retroactive VA disability compensation benefits prior to August 2006 was denied due to failure to complete a required VA examination and the discontinuation of payments following his return from active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of asthma, tuberculosis, a heart condition, pneumonia, diabetes, anemia, and bilateral blindness/macular degeneration.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lung disability, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran was exposed to an active case of tuberculosis during service and currently has PTB (Pulmonary Tuberculosis).

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma and found that the schedular rating criteria adequately describe and contemplate the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The claim was not referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, sleep apnea disorder, and positive TB test. The Veteran's asthma was diagnosed in service and continues to be treated post-service. Her sleep apnea disorder is linked to her period of service based on symptoms reported during service and a subsequent sleep study. However, the positive TB test alone does not constitute a disability for which VA compensation benefits may be awarded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran currently suffers from iron deficiency anemia, which had its onset during her active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and heart disability, as there is no evidence of these conditions during the pendency of his claim. The Board has also found that new examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine and headache disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypothyroidism with a benign neoplasm of the thyroid prior to July 18, 2011, and beginning September 1, 2011, was denied as there is no evidence that he experienced constipation or weight gain due to his condition. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pulmonary tuberculosis with secondary collapse of the left lower lung lobe remains pending.