The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there is no evidence of a direct or presumptive relationship between his AML and his military service.
The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be established because the medical evidence does not show a link between the Veteran's AML and his presumed Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion more convincing than other opinions, including those from private specialists who suggested a possible link to Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute myelocytic leukemia (AML)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21002828
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 21002828.
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: Granted
The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to acute myelocytic leukemia, finding that it was related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his active service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) due to Agent Orange exposure, for purposes of accrued benefits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board previously denied the claim for AML due to Agent Orange exposure, but the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) has ordered a remand because the September 2014 VA examination did not discuss whether the leukemia was presumptively linked to Agent Orange. The Veteran's death while his appeal was pending at the Court necessitated substitution.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Appellant's application to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his AML was related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The cause of death is therefore considered service-connected.
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