The Board has granted service connection for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during the Veteran's military service in Vietnam. The private Oncology Consultant provided a highly probative opinion linking the AML to the Veteran's exposure to dioxin from Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The private specialist concluded that the Veteran's AML is more likely than not caused by herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange and benzene, due to his military occupational specialty which exposed him to these substances.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23053228
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 23053228.
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 Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records, which may affect the Veteran's cause of death claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for acute myeloid leukemia is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ needs to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's AML, including its relationship to in-service herbicide exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and (r)(1) based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, acute myeloid leukemia, is found to be directly related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and benzene. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
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