Tuberculosis decisions — 2021

The appeal as to the issue of tuberculosis is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened, but the preponderance of evidence does not support establishing that any current low back, left ankle, right ankle, or knee disabilities were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was dismissed due to his request to withdraw the appeal. The appeals for service connection for GERD, IBS, tinea corporis (skin condition), fibromyalgia, a neurological condition (dizziness), tuberculosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis. Other conditions and issues remained denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA examination and a need for further review of rating decisions regarding lung cancer residuals.

The Board has denied service connection for tuberculosis, fibromyalgia, and erectile dysfunction as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's inactive tuberculosis is granted as service-connected, with the condition resolving during active duty.,Service connection for low back disorder and neck disorder are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tuberculosis as secondary to PTSD and for hypertensive retinopathy. The effective date for the 100% rating for ischemic heart disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disability and COPD with pulmonary tuberculosis due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The heart disability claim is pending, while the COPD with pulmonary tuberculosis claim requires additional development including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to pulmonary tuberculosis, which was at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran died in July 1971 from internal hemorrhage due to pulmonary tuberculosis and coronary heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected Graves' disease and hypertension have been granted, but the increased rating for Graves' disease is denied. The compensable rating for Pulmonary TB is also denied. Service connection for hypertension secondary to Graves' disease has been granted.

The Veteran's moderately advanced, inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is granted a 20% rating. The service connection for amputation of toes is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is denied as the evidence does not show symptoms that warrant an increased rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as there are no manifestations of severe, debilitating ringing of the ears to support a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the medical evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Service connection for tuberculosis (TB) is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and absence of evidence showing active TB during service or post-service.,Service connection for gastrointestinal (GI) disorder is denied as there is no established link between the Veteran's upset stomach in service and his current GERD.

The Board denied the claim for DIC benefits, finding that there was no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's service-connected disability and his death from cardiorespiratory arrest. The Board also found no evidence linking inhaling hair while working as a barber during service to the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of heat stress and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hiatal hernia and epididymitis and genital tuberculosis, as well as a temporary total convalescence rating. The decision found no direct causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected peptic ulcer disease or latent tuberculosis.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.,Service connection for left ankle disability (strain) is denied. The issue has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis (TB) as there was no evidence linking his TB to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection and concluded that the current disability is less likely than not related to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's facial discoloration due to a burn injury during service is granted as service connection. The lumbar spine, left knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection, including those for Hepatitis C, PTSD, Right Knee Condition, Tuberculosis, Cervical Spine Disability, Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, and Diabetes due to the death of the Veteran.