The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's fatal AML and CML were related to chemical exposures in service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. After resolving all doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's fatal AML and CML were related to chemical exposures in service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. After resolving all doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- CML, AML
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2016
- Citation
- 1616651
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 1616651.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of a proper medical opinion regarding the cause of death (AML). The appellant asserts that the Veteran's AML was related to his military service, specifically herbicide exposure. The VA examiner's opinion is deemed inadequate as it lacks supporting rationale.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death due to AML, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal link between the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and his development of AML.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his MDS/AML is etiologically related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The appeal is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was attributed to respiratory failure, overwhelming sepsis, and hypotension. The Appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, alleging that it was due to complications from a bone marrow transplant related to chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, there is no evidence confirming CML or its development during service.
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.