The Veteran's death was not due to CLL, but rather sepsis. The Veteran had service-connected Waldenstrom's macroglobulemia (WM) as secondary to Agent Orange exposure and this condition is considered a presumptive disability under the Agent Orange Act. However, his claim for accrued benefits based on retroactive entitlement to service connection for CLL was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have CLL at the time of his death; he had been diagnosed with Waldenstrom's macroglobulemia (WM) which is considered a presumptive disability under Agent Orange exposure. The claim for accrued benefits based on retroactive entitlement to service connection for CLL was denied.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Waldenstrom's macroglobulemia (WM)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2010
- Citation
- 1011081
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 1011081.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical examination regarding the severity of his residuals from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including chronic fatigue. The initial compensable rating for CLL remains denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for CLL, B-cell leukemia, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on a presumptive basis due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran served within the territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty.
- Granted
The Veteran's supplemental claim for service connection for sleep apnea, CLL and CFS was granted. The appeal is based on new evidence that reopened the previously denied claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and renal cell carcinoma are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his exposure history.
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