The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lymphocytic leukemia is related to his in-service exposure to burning chemicals without a breathing apparatus, and grants service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The positive opinions of record from the Veteran’s treating oncologists who have specialized training related to cancer found it likely that the Veteran's in-service exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals caused his chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20065487
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,156 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20065487.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not establish that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's causes of death were not found to be service-connected, as there was no credible evidence linking the conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia and coronary artery disease are granted, with the earliest possible effective date being May 26, 2024.
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