Tuberculosis decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the claims for a higher rating for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with pleural scarring and restrictive lung disease, as well as the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal is dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further evaluation of the Veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated as compensable.,Service connection for a lung disorder, to include tuberculosis, and service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder are both denied.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, hepatitis C, prostate cancer, and tuberculosis. The appeals to reopen these claims were unsuccessful due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and readjudication. The issues include various disability ratings, service connection for hernia of the esophagus, and other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and a sleep disturbance are remanded due to incomplete service records.,The Veteran's claims for low back disability and associated peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to incomplete service records.,The Veteran's claim for COPD is remanded due to incomplete service records.,The Veteran's claim for exposure to tuberculosis is remanded due to incomplete service records.,Incomplete VA treatment records are needed for all claims.,Outstanding private and federal records need to be obtained for the Veteran’s claims.,A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, sleep disturbance, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy, COPD, and tuberculosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tuberculosis. The claims for traumatic brain injury, right shoulder disability, and neck disability are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for tuberculosis, left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, and chronic cysts (including tinea versicolor) due to new evidence received after the November 2017 SOC.

The Veteran's tuberculosis claim is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of active tuberculosis.,Service connection for MAC lung disease and Crohn’s disease are both denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other etiology.,Diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension claims are remanded as the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service needs further verification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and conflicting medical opinions.,VA will attempt to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and military personnel records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol use disorder, prostate cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer, and scar associated with prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for tuberculosis of the testes as secondary to left varicocele due to lack of a current diagnosis, and because further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that there was no evidence linking the current disability to his service-connected condition.

The Board has denied a claim for an increased rating for inactive chronic pulmonary tuberculosis and has remanded the issue of service connection for restrictive lung disease as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for tuberculosis. However, the Veteran never developed tuberculosis during or after his military service, as evidenced by negative medical findings and lack of diagnoses throughout his lifetime. Therefore, the claim is denied.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand requests and thus, another remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of claimed hearing loss, asthma, and pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not ready for final decision due to incomplete development, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying the number of scars status post lumbar spine surgery. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for TB and has remanded the issue of service connection for Gout.

The Board denied service connection for latent tuberculosis and high cholesterol as there is no current disability manifested by these conditions.