Tuberculosis decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that the current respiratory disorder is not causally related to service and did not find evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other presumptive conditions.

The Board denied service connection for tuberculosis of the spine (Pott's disease) as there was no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, sleep apnea, residuals of traumatic brain injury, tuberculosis, COPD, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to April 28, 2016, and an effective date earlier than April 28, 2016 for the grant of TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory condition including COPD, RLD and tuberculosis. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to obtain a VA examination. The issues include chronic multi-symptom illness, respiratory disability, and neurological problem.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current respiratory disability, hearing loss of the right ear, or right ankle disability. The Veteran also did not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, right index finger metacarpal fracture, left ear hearing loss disability, positive tuberculosis skin test, hypertension, hemorrhoids, scars of the right knee, left ankle, and tailbone, or hidradenitis suppurativa. The Veteran's TBI claim was granted.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of tuberculosis is denied as there is no current disability.,The Veteran's claims for left foot drop and balance problems, and sleep apnea are both granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a diagnosis of sleep apnea in service and grants this claim.,The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder and right shoulder disorder are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions were incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cyst has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service. The claims of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis and back disability are denied as new and material evidence was not received. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is also denied.

The Veteran's tuberculosis and Hepatitis C claims are denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's tuberculosis disability prior to June 27, 2017. The VA needs to obtain a retrospective medical opinion from an appropriate physician.