The Veteran's diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is related to his service exposure to burn pits while deployed in Southwest Asia, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The private treating oncologist concluded that the Veteran’s exposures during military service were likely a causal factor in developing his lymphoma based on his otherwise healthy status and lack of significant family history or risk factors.
- Claimed conditions
- diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20014988
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 20014988.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for CLL, B-cell leukemia, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on a presumptive basis due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran served within the territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding VA treatment records.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and hypertension were presumptively related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents due to his service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied an initial compensable rating for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
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