Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of blood cancer that can have a major impact on a veteran’s health and daily life. Because CLL often develops slowly, many veterans may not realize they qualify for VA disability benefits until symptoms worsen or treatment becomes necessary.
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The good news is the VA provides disability benefits for service-connected CLL, including on a presumptive basis for veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
In this article, we explain what CLL is, how the VA assigns a VA disability rating for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and what veterans need to know when applying for VA disability compensation for the condition.
Key Takeaways
- Veterans with service-connected CLL are evaluated by the VA using diagnostic code 7703 for leukemia.
- VA disability ratings for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be either 0% or 100%.
- Veterans with active CLL that’s being treated are assigned a 100% disability rating.
- CLL and other B-cell leukemias are presumptively service connected for veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
In this article about the VA disability rating for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL):
What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a slow-growing type of B-cell leukemia that affects the blood and bone marrow. Specifically, it affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes, which normally help your body fight infections. With CLL, these cells become abnormal, build up over time, and crowd out your healthy blood cells.
You may not experience symptoms right away, as the disease progresses gradually. As the cancer progresses, however, you may experience the following:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever and night sweats
- Fatigue
- Weight and appetite loss
- Pain in the upper left part of your belly
- Frequent infections
Risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia include:
- Being 55 or older
- Having a family history of blood cancers
- Exposure to pesticides and herbicides such as Agent Orange
- Having another condition like monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), which can increase the chance of developing CLL
VA disability rating for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Veterans with service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia are evaluated by the VA using diagnostic code 7703 for leukemia (except for chronic myelogenous leukemia). Based on the criteria below, the VA will assign a VA disability rating for chronic lymphocytic leukemia of either 0% or 100% disabling.
Veterans with active CLL that’s being treated are assigned a 100% disability rating. This rating continues until six months after your CLL treatment has ended. After that, the VA will re-evaluate any residual conditions you have and will assign a rating using the appropriate diagnostic code.
If you’re a veteran with CLL but don’t have symptoms and your cancer is considered to be in stage 0 in the Rai system, you will receive a 0% VA disability rating.
It may not seem worthwhile to pursue, but getting a 0% rating can be a crucial step if your condition worsens over time. A 0% rating means the VA recognizes your CLL is service-connected, making it easier to increase your rating if your condition worsens over time.
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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Agent Orange
CLL and other B-cell leukemias are presumptively service connected for veterans exposed to Agent Orange. This means if you’re a veteran who has developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and you were exposed to Agent Orange, you do not need to prove there is a link between your CLL diagnosis and military service to receive VA disability compensation.
To qualify for presumption service connection, you must provide documentation that you served in one of the specific areas during the time periods established by the VA.
How Woods & Woods can help
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Frequently asked questions
Veterans with service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia are evaluated by the VA using diagnostic code 7703.
Veterans with active CLL that’s being treated are assigned a 100% disability rating. This rating continues until six months after your CLL treatment has ended. After that, the VA will re-evaluate any residuals and assign a rating using the appropriate diagnostic code. If you’re a veteran with CLL but don’t have symptoms, you will receive a 0% disability rating, but can file for an increased rating if the disease progresses.
Yes, research has found a connection between the two, and the VA formally recognizes a link between exposure to Agent Orange and the development of B-cell leukemias including CLL.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
