Tuberculosis decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, right ankle disability, and pulmonary tuberculosis due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions as there is no evidence showing they began during or were otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in significant need for regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). However, the criteria were not met for higher rates due to overlapping conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of February 20, 2014. The Board finds that she was unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities since January 1, 2013.

The Veteran's tuberculosis was not shown to be caused by VA care, resulting in a denial of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's pulmonary nodule of the left lung resulted from VA care, leading to a denial of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown to be caused by VA care, resulting in a denial of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has denied service connection for TB due to lack of a current diagnosis. The right wrist and bilateral foot disorders are remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to metastatic prostate cancer, not related to his diagnosed tuberculosis in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's tuberculosis is currently inactive and does not have compensable residuals. His hypertension has not been predominantly manifested by diastolic pressure 110 or greater or systolic pressure 200 or greater, so he cannot receive a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the April 2018 statement of the case. The initial rating for polycystic ovary disease remains denied, and the increased rating claim for asthma with inactive tuberculosis requires further development.

The Board denied the claim to reopen service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and also denied eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to lack of qualifying service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell anemia has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or superimposed disease.,The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for various disabilities, including blurred vision, hearing loss, and PTSD with memory loss, are remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, pulmonary tuberculosis, and tinnitus, are so severe that they preclude him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The claim for service connection for the cause of death has been denied as new and material evidence was not received, despite some additional medical evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's tuberculosis of lungs, left ureter, and left kidney is rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has denied an increased rating for this condition. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tuberculosis claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The PTSD and alcohol abuse claims are remanded for additional examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis as there is no current diagnosis of active or inactive tuberculosis, and the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in service.