The Veteran's cause of death (sepsis, blast crisis leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia) was not found to be related to service or exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for survivors' pension benefits was denied due to the Appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s cause of death, including his chronic myelogenous leukemia and blast crisis leukemia, were related to service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for survivors' benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- Blast crisis leukemia, Chronic myelogenous leukemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21021284
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 21021284.
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 has granted service connection for the cause of death and MDS with chronic myelogenous leukemia, for accrued benefits purposes. The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia due to complications from his leukemia, which is related to in-service exposure to chemical contaminants including IRFNA, UDMH, JP-4 petroleum, and benzenes. Service connection has also been granted for MDS with chronic myelogenous leukemia on a direct basis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant's claim is granted as the Veteran's death was due to his service-connected tropical sprue, as well as presumed exposure to herbicide agents and conceded exposure to benzene in service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was an acute myocardial infarction, and it is not service-connected. The other conditions contributing to death are also not service-connected.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic myelogenous leukemia was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service and is not otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.
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