The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's mantel cell leukemia is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) is granted as service-connected on a secondary basis to his service-connected mantel cell leukemia.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran has credible testimony regarding recurrent headaches during and after service, which are currently diagnosed. The VA examiner's opinion was not specific enough about the cause of the headache disorder being related to service.,Dr. A.C.'s statement concluded that the Veteran was exposed to known carcinogens (TCE and benzene) during his military service, linking his mantel cell leukemia to his service.,The November 2015 VA examiner determined it is more likely than not that the Veteran's depressive disorder is secondary to his lymphoma. There are no other etiological opinions of record to rebut this finding.,There was no credible evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD, and the Board found that the Veteran did not meet the requirements for a diagnosis of PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- headache disorder, mantel cell leukemia, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder), PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21004943
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 21004943.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
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