The claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran’s death is denied as there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between his active military service and his death from acute myelogenous leukemia. The Board also found that there was no probative evidence demonstrating exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, which would support presumptive service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cause of death (acute myelogenous leukemia) is not related to his active military service and there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute myelogenous leukemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20063174
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 20063174.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for acute myelogenous leukemia due to an inadequate medical opinion and a need to address direct service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acute myelogenous leukemia is granted as service connected due to in-service herbicide exposure, with the Board finding that his condition was likely caused by this exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA withheld compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $17,513.28 due to a statutory requirement and the decision is denied as it was proper.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to chemicals released from burn pits during his deployment in Afghanistan.
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