Tuberculosis decisions — 2023

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied DIC. The cause of death is pulmonary tuberculosis, which may have had its onset during or shortly after service. The Board has ordered a medical opinion to determine if this is likely.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for clarification of functional impairment related to pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for tuberculosis (TB) as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's in-service positive PPD test and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest possible effective dates are March 31, 2016 and April 12, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and denied service connection for Erectile Dysfunction and a Respiratory Disorder (Tuberculosis).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tuberculosis chorioretinitis with left paracentral scotoma, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 25, 2003. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and readjudication of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tuberculosis, high blood pressure associated with tuberculosis, left inguinal hernia associated with tuberculosis, and right inguinal hernia associated with tuberculosis. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions or they did not manifest within one year after discharge from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The hearing testimony provided during his April 2019 Board hearing is considered new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis, astigmatism, hypermetropia, presbyopia, and peripheral retinal degeneration have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions or a link to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and private treatment records. The issues of an increased evaluation for his service-connected left epididymo-orchitis with left hydrocele and entitlement to a TDIU are also being remanded.