The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his exposure to benzene during service, and thus service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
The deciding factor: An independent medical expert provided an opinion linking the Veteran's military service exposure to photographic glue containing benzene to his development of myelodysplasia (MDS) and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), which ultimately caused his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute myeloid leukemia, Myelodysplastic syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0913043
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 0913043.
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: Granted
The Veteran's acute myeloid leukemia is granted as service-connected for the purposes of accrued benefits, and his cause of death due to this condition is also granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acute myeloid leukemia is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's case is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and the inextricability of his TDIU claim with his MDS residuals.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and cause of death due to acute myeloid leukemia. The remand includes obtaining a determination on eligibility for substitution, conducting development regarding herbicide exposure, verifying participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs), and obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acute myeloid leukemia.
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