The Board found that the veteran's acute myelogenous leukemia was first manifested in service and is presumed to have been incurred due to his exposure to ionizing radiation during Operation Teapot. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.
The deciding factor: The presence at the Nevada Test Site, where the veteran participated in a test involving the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device (Operation Teapot), is considered 'onsite participation' under VA regulations and thus qualifies as exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found that this exposure caused or contributed substantially to the cause of death.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute myelogenous leukemia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2000
- Citation
- 0001732
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0001732.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for acute myelogenous leukemia due to an inadequate medical opinion and a need to address direct service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's acute myelogenous leukemia is granted as service connected due to in-service herbicide exposure, with the Board finding that his condition was likely caused by this exposure.
- Denied
The VA withheld compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $17,513.28 due to a statutory requirement and the decision is denied as it was proper.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to chemicals released from burn pits during his deployment in Afghanistan.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.