The Board denied service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), both claimed as due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims, including declassified documents showing nuclear weapons were stored in Guam but no occupational exposure to ionizing radiation was found.,The Board also denied service connection for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), finding that there was no evidence of such disability during service and no nexus between any current condition and service.
The deciding factor: There is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims of exposure to ionizing radiation, leading to chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke). The Board found that there was no occupational exposure to ionizing radiation during service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20029000
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 20029000.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his in-service herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is found to be related to his service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The Board granted the claim after finding that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the condition was due to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a higher rating for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) were dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.
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