The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected progressive small lymphocytic lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which were linked to his exposure to hazardous materials at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station during service. As a result, the claim for DIC benefits is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA physician provided an opinion linking the Veteran's cause of death (progressive small lymphocytic lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia) to his in-service exposure to hazardous materials at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station during service. This exposure was linked to Agent Orange contamination, which is considered a presumptive condition for Vietnam-era veterans.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory insufficiency, progressive small lymphocytic lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic kidney disease, chronic anemia, diabetes, hemiparesis, arthritis aneurysm by history
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2010
- Citation
- 1017816
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 1017816.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 5, 2011, for the grant of service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and an initial rating of 100 percent from that date to April 26, 2013.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for chronic kidney disease was dismissed due to the Veteran not timely filing a Notice of Disagreement within one year of the rating decision.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a vitamin D deficiency and remanded claims for coronary artery disease, status post femoral bypass, chronic kidney disease, and anemia due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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.