The Veteran's hairy cell leukemia is considered a terminal diagnosis with high rates of recurrence. The Board finds the Veteran's statements and testimony regarding his exposure to chemical agents competent, credible, and probative. The evidence is in equipoise on whether the Veteran's hairy cell leukemia is etiologically related to chemical exposure during his active service.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in approximate balance with both opinions concluding that the Veteran's hairy cell leukemia was at least as likely as not caused by or a result of exposure to chemicals during active service, despite conflicting conclusions on causation.
- Claimed conditions
- hairy cell leukemia
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2018
- Citation
- 1816931
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1816931.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hairy cell leukemia and thrombocytopenia under the PACT Act, but remanded claims for further evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for hairy cell leukemia as due to herbicide exposure and the cause of death, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for hairy cell leukemia as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during service, manifested to a compensable degree within one year after discharge from active duty, or was otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for hairy cell leukemia, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his military service and exposure to contaminated drinking water at Fort Sam Houston.
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