Citation Nr: 18142448
Decision Date: 10/15/18	Archive Date: 10/15/18

DOCKET NO. 16-35 990A
DATE:	October 15, 2018
REMANDED
The issue of a compensable rating for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis residuals with scarring is remanded.  
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from September 1942 to October 1944.  
On and after March 24, 2015, claims for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits are to be submitted on the appropriate claims form.  38 C.F.R. § 3.155.  In his December 2015 Notice of Disagreement (VA Form 21-0958), the Veteran made contentions which may be reasonably construed as an informal claim for service connection for a recurrent non tubercular pulmonary disability claimed as secondary to chemical gas warfare agent exposure.  The Veteran should be provided with the appropriate claim form in order to submit a claim of service connection for a recurrent non tubercular pulmonary disability if he desires.  
The issue of a compensable rating for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis residuals with scarring is remanded.  
The Veteran denies having ever been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and claims instead to have incurred a recurrent non tubercular pulmonary disability during active service when he “inhaled too much gas” during his chemical gas warfare agent training.  Given such a contention, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) finds that the certified issue of the rating for the service connected pulmonary tuberculosis residuals to be inextricably intertwined with the referred issue of service connection for a recurrent non tubercular pulmonary disorder.  
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
Upon receipt of the appropriate claim form, adjudicate the issue of service connection for a recurrent non tubercular pulmonary disability claimed as secondary to chemical gas warfare agent exposure.  The Veteran should be informed in writing of the resulting decision and associated appellate rights.  An issue is not on appeal unless there is both a notice of disagreement and a substantive appeal as to the issue.  
 
J. T. HUTCHESON
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Saudiee Brown, Associate Counsel