The Veteran's myeloproliferative syndrome with conversion to AML, presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, is granted service connection for accrued benefits purposes. The cause of death (AML) is also granted. The Veteran's IHD is rated at 40 percent but no higher. His shortened right metacarpal and PTSD are not granted initial ratings in excess of the current 60 percent rating. An earlier effective date than May 21, 2011 for service connection of IHD is denied. TDIU is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's myeloproliferative syndrome with conversion to AML was caused by presumed Agent Orange exposure and is therefore granted service connection for accrued benefits purposes. The cause of death (AML) is also granted as it was the immediate cause of death. The Veteran's IHD, while not manifesting chronic congestive heart failure or a workload of 3 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, still warrants a 40 percent rating due to its severity and impact on his overall health.
- Claimed conditions
- myeloproliferative syndrome with conversion to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), ischemic heart disease (IHD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19108194
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,036 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19108194.
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 Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected DM II. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during active service is presumed.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to procedural defects in the submission of the VA Form 10182, which was not an accepted format for appeal in the modernized review system.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The claims for DM II, sleep apnea, and ED are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
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