Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

Service connection for CLL was denied. A rating of 20 percent, but no more, for left ankle strain from October 18, 2017 to November 4, 2019 was granted.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's CLL was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease. The left ankle strain, residuals of benign cortical cyst, has been manifested by marked limited motion of the ankle since October 18, 2017.

Claimed conditions
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), left ankle strain, residuals of benign cortical cyst
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
April 22, 2020
Citation
20028042

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 20028042.

What this means for you

A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.