The Veteran's service connection claim for leukopenia was denied as the finding itself is not a disability. The Board found that there is nothing in the medical record that suggests the presence of an underlying pathologic basis for the laboratory finding of leukopenia, and no evidence of impairment in earning capacity related to this single test result.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's leukopenia was only a laboratory finding with no underlying pathology or disability.
- Claimed conditions
- leukopenia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19151425
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,287 · Granted: 23% (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 19151425.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 a blood/bone marrow disorder, including myelodysplastic syndrome, leukopenia, and neutropenia, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board acknowledges that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam.
- Denied
The Veteran's leukopenia has not required continuous medication for control or intermittent use of a myeloid growth factor to maintain ANC greater than or equal to 1500/l, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for meningitis and leukopenia due to a procedural due process violation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for leukopenia and prostatic hypertrophy due to additional development needed, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the conditions.
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.