Malignant proliferation of B-cell lymphocytes (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia or hairy-cell leukemia)
During active disease or a treatment phase, medical records confirming the diagnosis and showing ongoing disease activity or current treatment, such as oncology notes, lab results, chemotherapy records, or radiation treatment summaries, would reflect the criteria for a 100% rating.
For the post-treatment period, records showing the date your treatment ended matter because the six-month clock starts there. A VA examination report completed at or after that six-month mark will be central to any rating decision after cessation of treatment.
If you have CLL specifically, records establishing your Rai stage are critical. Pathology reports, flow cytometry results, bone marrow biopsy findings, lymph node assessments, and complete blood count results can document your stage. Your doctor's notes describing whether you have symptoms, such as fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, or infections, help show whether your CLL is asymptomatic Stage 0 or symptomatic at a higher stage.
For residuals rated after treatment, medical records and examination findings that document the specific remaining conditions, along with statements describing how those conditions affect your daily life and work, support ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes for those residuals.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
