The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was denied. The current disability rating of 20 percent is maintained.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show the Veteran's NHL residuals to be nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level, which would warrant a higher 40% rating under Diagnostic Code 6354 for chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1710737
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 1710737.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma was remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for reconsideration based on new evidence. The effective date of service connection is also being considered.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for the AOJ to adjudicate the Veteran's motion for entitlement to revision of an April 1991 rating decision that awarded a 30 percent rating for NHL effective June 1, 1989, specifically addressing the Veteran's contentions in his March 2011 CUE motion.
- Granted
The Veteran's rating for residuals of NHL, including chemotherapy-induced diarrhea/bowel pattern change, was reduced from 100% to 30%, effective October 1, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The reduction in the rating for NHL from 100% to 40%, effective March 1, 2018, was proper. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.
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.