Tuberculosis decisions — 2001

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary tuberculosis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTB.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and eligibility for death pension benefits due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, tuberculosis, COPD, skin disorders, hepatitis, defective vision, and a blood disorder secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The veteran's positive tuberculosis test was not incurred in service. Service connection for bilateral knee disability and fibrocystic adenosis is denied as the claims are not well grounded. The veteran's service-connected mitral valve prolapse and low back disability have been granted with initial evaluations of 10% each, effective June 12, 1997.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a deviated nasal septum and granted it. The issues of service connection for sinusitis, calcified primary complex with Ghon tubercle (claimed as pulmonary tuberculosis), and residuals for a right rib fracture are referred to the RO for further adjudication.

The Board found that the veteran knowingly presented false and fraudulent statements in support of his claims for service connection, leading to forfeiture of all VA benefits.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bronchitis with pulmonary emphysema and history of tuberculosis, which currently results in a 30 percent disability. The RO has requested additional medical records to properly assess the severity of his condition.

The veteran died of pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia, which were not shown to be related to his military service. The Board found no evidence linking the cause of death to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for positive PPD test, as there is no evidence of diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death in August 2000, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The decision was deemed clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claims for service connection for ulcer disease, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), kidney stone, hearing loss, eye disorder, and headache disorder were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his lung cancer was more likely due to cigarette smoking than to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis are found to have contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. The veteran also has basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.