The Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service exposure to Agent Orange, which is required for presumptive service connection.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence of a current diagnosis of CLL and the Veteran never received a diagnosis during his lifetime. The claim fails as it does not meet the essential requirement of having a current disability related to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2010
- Citation
- 1016014
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 1016014.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 100 percent rating for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) from October 14, 2024.
- Granted
The Board granted the restoration of a 100 percent rating for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) effective January 1, 2025, as the reduction in the disability rating was improper.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or Korea.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased initial rating of 100 percent for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and remanded the claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma.
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.