The Board has determined that the Veteran's acute lymphoid leukemia, which was related to his exposure to contaminants during service, qualifies as a cause of death. The decision grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The private opinion provided by Dr. C. K., a cancer specialist, concluded that the Veteran's diagnosis and death from acute lymphocytic leukemia was at least as likely as not caused by his military exposure to benzene.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute lymphoid leukemia
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26004836
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26004836.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the appellant's request for an effective date prior to March 14, 2017, for service connection cause of death due to adult leukemia. The effective date is set at March 14, 2017, as this was when the law was amended to add adult leukemia to the list of diseases associated with contaminants present in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to service connection for acute lymphoid leukemia, which was presumed based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board also found that the Veteran met the threshold duration of service required under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(7)(iii).
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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