The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be due to intracranial hemorrhage, which is not service-connected. The Board denied retroactive benefits for myelogenous leukemia as it was not a disease presumed by herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The August 2011 VA opinion concluded that the Veteran's leukemia (AML) was not B-cell lymphocytic leukemia and therefore did not meet the criteria for service connection under Nehmer v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Claimed conditions
- myelogenous leukemia, intracranial hemorrhage due to coagulopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 11, 2015
- Citation
- 1520100
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 1520100.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for further development, including obtaining additional VA records and an addendum opinion to clarify the Veteran's diagnosis and provide a nexus opinion regarding service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes and his myelogenous leukemia, which led to his death.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelogenous leukemia was denied, while his PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent. The appeal is mixed as it involves both direct service connection and an increased rating for PTSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for myelogenous leukemia, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.