The Board denied service connection for hairy cell leukemia, finding that the condition was not related to in-service disease or injury and did not arise from exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's HCL was not related to CLL, which would entitle him to presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure. However, there is no evidence of such a relationship.
- Claimed conditions
- Hairy cell leukemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2008
- Citation
- 0823653
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 0823653.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Veteran's hairy cell leukemia residuals are rated at a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hairy cell leukemia residuals and a 20 percent rating for chronic fatigue, both of which are considered direct service connection cases.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered the AOJ to confirm whether the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation from a helicopter floor system during active duty or ACDUTRA and to obtain a new medical opinion as to the etiology of his leukemia.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hairy cell leukemia is granted as due to Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection for PTSD was remanded.
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