Service connection is granted for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, and Congestive Heart Failure due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. Service connection is denied for Peripheral Neuropathy of the Bilateral Lower Extremities and Diabetic Kidney Disease.
The deciding factor: The Veteran served at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) where he was exposed to herbicides, including Agent Orange. His CLL and DM were presumed to have been incurred in service due to this exposure. CHF was not shown within a year of separation from service and is not considered an ischemic heart disease for which presumptive service connection applies.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Peripheral Neuropathy of the Bilateral Lower Extremities (PN), Diabetic Kidney Disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2023
- Citation
- A23037079
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 A23037079.
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 Veteran's CLL is presumed to be related to his service in Thailand due to exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for CLL and a TDIU is being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of the December 2023 VA examination and because the RO has not provided explicit notice on the TDIU issue.
- Granted
The Veteran's chronic lymphocytic leukemia is presumed to be related to his military service due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for right shoulder disability. The Veteran's appeal is currently under review.
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