Tuberculosis decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues on appeal, including those related to service connection and rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left great toe infection, stomach disorder due to positive tuberculosis (TB) test with medication, numbness of the left hand, numbness of the right hand, and right hip disorder have been denied as there is no diagnosed chronic disability found during the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected chronic inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection for cause of death. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's death was due to a condition related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and TB claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.,Right knee patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) was established during service, with the Veteran having a diagnosis in service and ongoing symptoms post-service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Alaska Native Medical Center and providing an addendum decision regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTB of the left upper lung was denied as there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed his active duty service.,For the period from February 19, 2013 to February [REDACTED], 2017, the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of his spouse was denied as he did not have a service-connected disability. The issue is moot since the spouse has died.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations to determine the current level of impairment with regard to his service-connected residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculosis of the colon with resection.