Service connection is granted for acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and PTSD. Service connection is denied for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service exposure. The claim for peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as vertigo) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and PTSD, had their clinical onset in service and are considered directly related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorders (Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Peripheral Vestibular Disorder (Vertigo)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19116353
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,934 · Granted: 41% (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 19116353.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia has been dismissed because there is no valid June 2021 rating decision to appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's exposure to contaminants at Camp Pendleton and his current condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, CLL, NHL, Crohn's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Splenomegaly, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and conducting necessary examinations.
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