Tuberculosis decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran had pulmonary tuberculosis during service and if this condition contributed to his death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which may be related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis does not result in any compensable residuals.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, otitis media (left ear), cholera, tuberculosis, dysentery, hematuria, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not meet the current disability requirement for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for tuberculosis, lumbosacral strain, a skin condition affecting the entire body, and PTSD/Depressive Disorder have been granted. The claim for service connection for tuberculosis was reopened due to new evidence showing exposure during service. Service connection is established for lumbosacral strain and a skin disorder affecting the entire body. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and depressive disorder were also reopened.

The Board has remanded the case due to factual inaccuracies in a previous VA examination and for additional medical opinions regarding tuberculosis and hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for active tuberculosis, athlete's foot, frontal headaches, esophageal reflux, hypertension, and left eye disability with corneal abrasion. The Veteran does not have a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis and peptic ulcer were denied as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury, continuous symptoms since service, or a link to service.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for lung cancer service connection and remanded the COPD with emphysema and history of pulmonary tuberculosis rating issue.

The Veteran's tuberculosis claim is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records, and further review of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and ulcerative colitis (claimed as due to tuberculosis) was granted, while her claims for chest pain and left knee disability were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tuberculosis, bilateral leg condition, bilateral foot condition, and chest pain disability due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence of in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's diabetes is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for hiatal hernia, psychiatric disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities), genital tuberculosis, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for epididymitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tuberculosis and abscesses due to inadequate medical opinions provided in the March 2019. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected inactive tuberculosis with old granulomatous disease is denied as there are no residuals of the condition that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis as there is no current diagnosis of active TB, and the positive PPD test result does not indicate a disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,Ear infections and vertigo are also being remanded for further development as the VA examiner’s opinion is insufficient.,Tuberculosis, COPD, and hypertension secondary to PTSD/Hypothyroidism are being remanded due to incomplete or conflicting evidence.,Hypertension is being remanded because of a lack of information regarding fuel fume exposure in service.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's tuberculosis pleural effusion with minimal inactive pulmonary tuberculosis (to include lung cancer) is being remanded for further evaluation, and the issue of whether a 100% rating is now protected in light of a decision noting that the evaluation had been in effect since 1971 is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the Veteran’s cause of death, DIC, and survivor pension benefits due to incomplete development and need for further medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including tuberculosis and asbestosis, and hypertension. The Veteran's current respiratory disability is not supported by the evidence of record, and his hypertension was noted prior to active duty and did not increase during any period of service.