The Veteran's death was due to acute lymphocytic leukemia, with severe thrombocytopenia as a contributing cause. The Board found the evidence in equipoise and granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on presumed exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The presumptions of herbicide exposure apply due to the Veteran's time spent near the perimeter fences and flight line activities, which are consistent with areas known to have been exposed to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia, Severe thrombocytopenia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2015
- Citation
- 1526110
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 1526110.
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 Veteran's service connection claim for acute lymphocytic leukemia is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during service, as provided by the PACT Act.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for acute lymphocytic leukemia due to insufficient evidence in the VA opinions and a need for an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for acute lymphocytic leukemia due to insufficient evidence in the VA opinions and a need for an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim to recognize his daughter as a dependent due to her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to turning 18 is being remanded. The VA needs more information about the child's condition during high school and any special education or treatment records.
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.