Tuberculosis decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis as there is no current diagnosis of active or inactive tuberculosis, and the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's pulmonary condition, including tuberculosis, was not shown to be related to service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current pulmonary disability is etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis due to new and material evidence submitted since the October 2010 rating decision. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not establish that the Veteran had tuberculosis in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.,For COPD, a rating increase to 30 percent has been granted, but only subject to the laws and regulations controlling the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's tuberculosis was inactive, but residuals required the use of outpatient oxygen therapy. The Board granted a 60% disability rating for the period from April 9, 2008 until August 20, 2009 and a 100% disability rating for the period from August 21, 2009 until January 14, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, and his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating for PTSD, but concluded he is unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeals for service connection of a vision disability, positive tuberculosis (TB) tine test, hernia disability, and stomach injury are dismissed.,Service connection is denied for left ankle disability. The Veteran's current left ankle disability is not related to his service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's death certificate noted that his cause of death was related to Parkinson’s disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD secondary to inactive tuberculosis and a compensable rating for inactive tuberculosis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of hypertension and epididymitis, as well as his claim to reopen the tuberculosis service connection issue, have been dismissed due to withdrawal requests from the Veteran.,The Veteran's appeal regarding cold injury residuals of the feet was also dismissed. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen this previously denied claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appeals concerning tuberculosis, heart condition, shortness of breath, and joint decompression and/or body aches were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition and remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis. The Veteran's pes planus is not related to his military service, but the lung conditions are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, tuberculosis, and insomnia have been denied as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death and denied the claim for nonservice-connected death pension due to lack of qualifying service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability and tuberculosis, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and lack of credible supporting evidence for in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim for tuberculosis remains denied, while his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tuberculosis of the spine, finding that while the Veteran had a current diagnosis and positive tine tests during service, there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing his pre-existing condition worsened during service. The disease did not manifest within three years post-service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues including bilateral tinnitus, left hand disability, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, residuals of latent TB, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 30, 2017 for residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent from May 30, 2017 to the present for residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis was also denied.