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Denied

The Veteran's lung disorder, to include asbestosis, was not incurred in service and is denied.,The residuals of right-sided brain damage were not incurred in service and are denied.,An effective date earlier than May 23, 2003, for the grant of service connection for vertigo has been denied.

The deciding factor: Service treatment records do not document any lung disorder or related complaints. Post-service private treatment records show no significant airflow obstruction and a history of mild asbestosis. The March 2012 VA opinion concluded that the Veteran's biapical pleural calcifications, left upper lung scarring, and focal pleural fibrosis were less likely than not incurred during active service or caused by exposure to asbestos during active service.,Service treatment records do not document any right-sided brain damage. Post-service private treatment records show a history of diffuse ischemic changes with periventricular white matter demyelination and an old left basal ganglia infarct, without acute brain abnormalities. The March 2012 VA opinion concluded that the Veteran's disorder was most likely caused by or related to his longstanding hyperlipidemia, hypertension, history of tobacco use, and the natural effects of age.,The appellant claimed problems with balance and equilibrium in a May 2003 NOD as part of the brain injury claim. The effective date for service connection for vertigo was granted on May 23, 2003.

Claimed conditions
Lung Disorder, to include asbestosis, Right-sided brain damage
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
May 25, 2017
Citation
1718585

This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1718585.

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