EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Leukemia VA Disability Rating
DC 7703 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.117 | M21-1, Part IV.ii.2.G
OVERVIEW
Leukemia is rated at 100% during active disease under DC 7703 (except CML, which uses DC 7719) at 38 C.F.R. § 4.117. Several leukemia types are Agent Orange presumptives under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e): AML, CLL, and others. CLL at Rai Stage 0 (asymptomatic) rates 0% but file for service connection immediately — when CLL progresses to Stage I-IV, the 100% applies from the original claim date.
RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)
100% — Active disease or during treatment phase
100% when there is active disease or during any treatment phase under DC 7703. Mandatory VA examination 6 months after cessation of treatment. Rate residuals under appropriate diagnostic codes if no recurrence.
0% — Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), asymptomatic, Rai Stage 0
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), asymptomatic, Rai Stage 0 = 0%. File for service connection to protect effective date — rating increases when treatment begins or symptoms develop.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Hematology records confirming leukemia type and staging
-Bone marrow biopsy results
-Agent Orange exposure records
-Complete blood count and flow cytometry
-Treatment records (chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant)
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (2 MAPPED)
DC 8520
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy from leukemia treatment regimens.
DC 7700
Both leukemia and treatment cause anemia — rate separately.
C&P EXAM TIPS (3)
1.Multiple leukemia types are Agent Orange presumptives — file immediately with AO exposure.
2.For CLL Stage 0, file for service connection even at 0% — protects effective date for when disease progresses.
3.Document all treatment complications — basis for ratings after remission.
RELEVANT CASE LAW
38 C.F.R. § 4.117, DC 7703 (Leukemia) Notes (1)(2)
100% continues beyond cessation of treatment. Mandatory VA examination at 6 months. CLL/MBL Rai Stage 0 asymptomatic = 0% but establishes service connection. Late effects of treatment (cardiomyopathy, secondary malignancies, neuropathy) are separately ratable residuals.
DOLLAR IMPACT
100% during active disease: $3,938.58/mo. CLL Stage 0 is 0% but filing protects effective date — when symptoms develop and staging advances, back-pay runs from original claim date.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026