The Board has remanded the case due to need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death and whether service connection can be established. The Veteran's death was attributed to acute myelogenous leukemia, which may or may not be a B-cell leukemia. There is also uncertainty about whether prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, or hypertension contributed to his death.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran served near and frequently crossed the perimeter of Korat RTAFB where herbicide exposure was likely, thus exposing him to herbicide agents. However, there are uncertainties about the cause of death and other service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21029925
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 21029925.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which are presumed to be related to the development of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria prior to March 18, 2016, or from August 1, 2016, is denied as he did not meet the schedular rating criteria for SMC housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome is granted with an effective date of February 28, 2014. The rating assigned is 10%.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further evidentiary development, including a Gulf War medical examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.