The Board denied service connection for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, and the cause of death due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions did not find a direct nexus between the Veteran's diseases (B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, peripheral neuropathy, and adult respiratory distress syndrome) and toxic exposures during military service. The most significant risk factors for COPD were identified as smoking history, and there was no evidence linking CLL to toxic exposures other than herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, cause of death (adult respiratory distress syndrome due to underlying influenza type A with contributing causes of death being chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24066454
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a bilateral foot disability to obtain further development, including adequate VA examinations and opinions.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection and initial rating claims has been withdrawn by the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a skin disorder of the genital region, and a right knee disability. The claim for sleep apnea was remanded.
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