{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/leukemia","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:06.873Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Leukemia","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1687,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":32.7,"denied_pct":22.1,"remanded_pct":43.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":59.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":81,"granted_pct":25.9,"denied_pct":28.4,"remanded_pct":38.3},{"year":2018,"issues":139,"granted_pct":23,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":36.7},{"year":2019,"issues":177,"granted_pct":28.8,"denied_pct":18.1,"remanded_pct":50.3},{"year":2020,"issues":209,"granted_pct":28.7,"denied_pct":30.6,"remanded_pct":38.3},{"year":2021,"issues":183,"granted_pct":28.4,"denied_pct":24.6,"remanded_pct":45.4},{"year":2022,"issues":245,"granted_pct":31,"denied_pct":18,"remanded_pct":49.8},{"year":2023,"issues":205,"granted_pct":30.7,"denied_pct":19.5,"remanded_pct":47.3},{"year":2024,"issues":210,"granted_pct":35.2,"denied_pct":21,"remanded_pct":43.3},{"year":2025,"issues":180,"granted_pct":45.6,"denied_pct":13.9,"remanded_pct":37.8},{"year":2026,"issues":90,"granted_pct":52.2,"denied_pct":13.3,"remanded_pct":32.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":150,"granted_pct_with":80.7,"granted_pct_without":56.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":904,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":73.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":423,"granted_pct_with":92.2,"granted_pct_without":42.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":693,"granted_pct_with":50.8,"granted_pct_without":67.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":777,"granted_pct_with":70.3,"granted_pct_without":46.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":195,"granted_pct_with":76.1,"granted_pct_without":56.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1150,"granted_pct_with":52,"granted_pct_without":78.9},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":88,"granted_pct_with":70.7,"granted_pct_without":58.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":77,"granted_pct_with":72.3,"granted_pct_without":59}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":95},{"reason":"veteran diagnosed with cll","decisions":7},{"reason":"presumed herbicide exposure due to vietnam service","decisions":7},{"reason":"presumed exposure to herbicide agents due to vietnam service","decisions":6},{"reason":"veteran diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia","decisions":5},{"reason":"presumed herbicide exposure in vietnam","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":48},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":45},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":34},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":27},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":22},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":14}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040850","year":2026,"judge":"TIMOTHY COTHREL","rationale":"38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303; MOS as Dental Hygienist at Dugway Proving Ground; Likely exposure to chemicals including mercury, PRA, BisGMA, BHT, HMBP, DPCL, TPSb, HERAM, TEGOMA; Veteran reported potential exposure to Agent Orange at Dugway; Medical literature links exposures t… [truncated, 61 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040519","year":2026,"judge":"P.M. DILORENZO","rationale":"Current disability established by September 2025 diagnosis.; In-service exposure presumed due to Vietnam service.; Probative private medical opinion linked AML to herbicide exposure.; Inadequate VA medical opinion did not outweigh private opinion."},{"case_id":"A26040864","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. HERMAN","rationale":"CML active and undergoing treatment from June 4, 2014, to September 27, 2018; Warranted 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7703 for active disease/treatment phase; Molecular remission not achieved until September 27, 2018, per private treatment records"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040693","year":2026,"judge":"SHEREEN M. MARCUS","rationale":"CLL in remission since June 14, 2023; Treatment completed June 2022; No evidence of active disease or recurrent lymphoma"},{"case_id":"A26033299","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"No in-service onset or continuity of symptoms; VA opinions found less likely than not related to TERA; Age and race identified as greater risk factors than TERA"},{"case_id":"A26031052","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"No competent evidence of in-service incurrence.; No evidence of toxic exposure or contaminated water.; No persuasive medical or lay evidence linking condition to service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}