The veteran's service connection claim for primary myelofibrosis is granted as there is evidence linking the condition to his military service, specifically exposure to benzene while working in aircraft and helicopters.
The deciding factor: There was competent medical evidence linking the veteran's diagnosis of primary myelofibrosis to his service due to potential exposure to benzene during his time in service.
- Claimed conditions
- primary myelofibrosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2003
- Citation
- 0309503
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0309503.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for essential thrombocythemia or primary myelofibrosis was denied as there is no evidence of an earlier effective date due to the PACT Act, and the conditions are not covered by the PACT Act.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis has been granted with a maximum schedular rating of 100 percent, effective August 10, 2022. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has already been granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims of service connection for primary myelofibrosis, a chronic condition to account for kidney failure, COPD, diabetes, and emphysema are reopened. The issues of service connection for these conditions due to petrochemical exposure, including benzene, are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the VA medical opinion provided in November 2021 did not substantially comply with the remand directives and thus requires another examination to determine if there is at least a 50% chance that the Veteran's myelofibrosis is related to his service, including radiation exposure.
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