A past lung infection with tuberculosis bacteria that is no longer active and caused minimal scarring.
To support a rating at any level, records need to establish when the active tuberculosis was clinically identified and when it became inactive. Service treatment records, hospital records, and post-service medical records that document the diagnosis, treatment, and the date VA or a treating provider determined the disease was no longer active are central to this.
For the 30% or 20% permanent ratings, records showing the extent of the original lesions matter. Radiology reports, chest X-rays, and CT scans that describe the lesions as far advanced or moderately advanced while the disease was active directly address those criteria. For the 20% level, evidence of continued disability is also required — pulmonary function test results, physician notes documenting emphysema or dyspnea on exertion, and your own statements describing how breathing problems affect your daily activities and work can all support that finding.
If you are on the 100% rating, be aware that failure to submit to examination or follow prescribed treatment can result in a reduction to 50%, as noted in the regulation.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
