The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, respiratory failure, was due to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) caused by Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: The private treating oncologist provided a clear opinion that the Veteran's AML was likely caused by his prior exposure to Agent Orange and other environmental exposures while in Vietnam, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), pleural effusion, infection due to neutropenic fevers
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2017
- Citation
- 1726679
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 1726679.
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 deficiencies in the medical opinion provided, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disability and his exposure to jet fuel during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran's disabilities, including diabetes and neuropathy of various extremities, are at least as likely as not related to hazardous exposures during service. The issues of service connection for glaucoma secondary to diabetes are also remanded due to their inextricability with other claims.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. After considering all evidence and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant, service connection for AML due to herbicide exposure is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and insufficient notice under 38 C.F.R. § 5104(b). The Veteran's eligibility for the PCAFC is being reviewed, but a new medical determination considering all medical information of record is needed.
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