Tuberculosis decisions — 2008

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for exposure to tuberculosis was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the positive PPD test alone does not constitute a 'disability' for which VA compensation benefits may be awarded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for inactive tuberculosis of T6 and T7 with residuals of a thoracotomy and resection of two ribs, as the veteran's reported thoracic spine symptomatology was not attributable to the narrowing of the T5-6 and T6-7 disks or to the drainage of the tuberculosis paraspinous abscess.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service or a nexus between any current condition and his military service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis secondary to herbicide exposure and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a seizure disorder was reopened.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year of discharge, and no competent medical evidence linking the current hearing loss to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as well as entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits and accrued benefits.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to chronic pulmonary tuberculosis, as there was no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his chronic pulmonary tuberculosis must be remanded again due to the need for further development of the record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, malaria, asthma, and chronic lung disability as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis (TB) was denied because there is insufficient evidence to establish that he currently has active TB and the positive PPD test in service does not confirm a current disability.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence and further development.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and an extraschedular rating for TDIU was denied.

The Board denied service connection for malaria, tuberculosis, gout, a lung condition due to Agent Orange exposure, and drug abuse secondary to PTSD. The veteran was also granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of left wrist fracture.