The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), and recurrent pulmonary nocardiosis, to include bilateral lung disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The conditions are presumed related to herbicide exposure during active duty service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while serving at Nakhon Phanom Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, which is associated with the identified diseases including CLL, DM II, and recurrent pulmonary nocardiosis.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), recurrent pulmonary nocardiosis, bilateral lung disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21041667
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 21041667.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical examination regarding the severity of his residuals from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including chronic fatigue. The initial compensable rating for CLL remains denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for CLL, B-cell leukemia, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on a presumptive basis due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran served within the territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), as they involve issues related to service connection that require additional examination and opinion.
- Granted
The Veteran's supplemental claim for service connection for sleep apnea, CLL and CFS was granted. The appeal is based on new evidence that reopened the previously denied claims.
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