The Board granted service connection for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with bone marrow transplant, a dry eye condition as a residual of GVHD secondary to AML with bone marrow transplant, and osteopenia of spine and poor balance as residuals of GVHD secondary to AML with bone marrow transplant. The claims for hypertension, dry mouth, swallowing difficulty, and stomach tightening, and memory loss were denied.
The deciding factor: The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding his service connection claims based on new evidence showing a link between his in-service toxic chemical exposures and his AML diagnosis, as well as the relationship between his GVHD residuals and his current conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with bone marrow transplant, Residuals of graft versus host disease (GVHD), Dry mouth as a residual of GVHD secondary to AML with bone marrow transplant, Memory loss as a residual of GVHD secondary to AML with bone marrow transplant, Dry eye condition as a residual of GVHD secondary to AML with bone marrow transplant, Osteopenia of spine and poor balance as residuals of GVHD secondary to AML with bone marrow transplant, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2024
- Citation
- 24000058
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
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