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38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.117

Leukemia (except for chronic myelogenous leukemia) — VA Diagnostic Code 7703

Hematologic / lymphatic

Diagnostic code

7703

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38 CFR § 4.117 rates “Leukemia (except for chronic myelogenous leukemia)” under Diagnostic Code 7703, in the hemic and lymphatic schedule. It assigns 100 percent when there is active disease or during a treatment phase, and otherwise rates residuals. Asymptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia or monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis at Rai Stage 0 is 0 percent.

Reviewed 2026-09-28. Diffed against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-09-24 on 2026-09-28. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-09-24; latest amended on 2026-08-27.

The rating criteria at each level

Leukemia (except for chronic myelogenous leukemia)

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). When there is active disease or during a treatment phase

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Otherwise rate residuals under the appropriate diagnostic code(s)

Rating %: 0

Criteria (verbatim). Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), asymptomatic, Rai Stage 0

Note (1): A 100 percent evaluation shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical therapy, radiation therapy, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedures. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no recurrence, rate on residuals

Note (2): Evaluate symptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia that is at Rai Stage I, II, III, or IV the same as any other leukemia evaluated under this diagnostic code

Note (3): Evaluate residuals of leukemia or leukemia therapy under the appropriate diagnostic code(s).

The same table cell that contains Note (3) continues with the schedule heading “Myeloproliferative Disorders: (Diagnostic Codes 7704, 7718, 7719).” That heading introduces those three codes. It is not a fourth level of DC 7703.

The note printed on the line immediately above DC 7703 belongs to DC 7702, agranulocytosis, acquired: “A 100 percent evaluation for bone marrow transplant shall be assigned as of the date of hospital admission and shall continue with a mandatory VA examination six months following hospital discharge. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter.” DC 7703’s own continuation rule is Note (1).

Source: 38 CFR § 4.117 (Schedule of ratings—hemic and lymphatic systems), Diagnostic Code 7703, eCFR, up to date as of 2026-09-24.

What the words mean in your records

Active disease or a treatment phase

The 100 percent line is those words. Note (1) continues that evaluation beyond the cessation of any surgical therapy, radiation therapy, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedures. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the rating is determined by a mandatory VA examination. Any change based on that examination, or a later one, is subject to 38 CFR § 3.105(e) (Revision of decisions), the reduction-in-evaluation rule. If there has been no recurrence, rate on residuals. See proposed reduction letters.

Residuals

The schedule says “Otherwise rate residuals under the appropriate diagnostic code(s).” Note (3) says to evaluate residuals of leukemia or leukemia therapy under the appropriate diagnostic code or codes. The schedule does not list those codes under DC 7703. The code that fits the residual is the one the rater applies. This page does not name an example residual code.

Rai Stage 0, and Rai Stages I through IV

The 0 percent line is “Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), asymptomatic, Rai Stage 0.” Note (2): evaluate symptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia that is at Rai Stage I, II, III, or IV the same as any other leukemia evaluated under this diagnostic code. The stage is a medical finding. This page does not define the Rai stages.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia is not this code

The title of DC 7703 excepts chronic myelogenous leukemia. DC 7719 is “Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (chronic myeloid leukemia or chronic granulocytic leukemia).” Its levels are quoted in the related-codes section.

Evidence that speaks to each level

100 — active disease or a treatment phase

What the rater needs to see. A diagnosis of leukemia other than chronic myelogenous leukemia, and whether disease is active or treatment is underway. Treatment dates set the six-month examination in Note (1).

Where that usually lives. Pathology or the diagnosis report, and records of the start and end of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or another therapeutic procedure.

After treatment stops

What the rater needs to see. The date treatment was discontinued, the mandatory VA examination six months later, and whether there has been a recurrence. If there has been no recurrence, the residuals and the code that rates them.

Where that usually lives. The treatment summary and the later examination. A proposed reduction follows § 3.105(e).

0 — asymptomatic CLL or MBL, Rai Stage 0

What the rater needs to see. The diagnosis and a Rai Stage 0 finding, and that the disease is asymptomatic. Symptomatic Rai Stage I, II, III, or IV is Note (2), not this line.

Where that usually lives. Oncology notes that state the Rai stage.

The exposure basis, when service connection is the question

What the rater needs to see. Service records that match a presumption actually named in § 3.309, or other evidence on the facts if no presumption applies.

Where that usually lives. Deployment, location, or radiation-risk records, read against the paragraph that names the presumption.

Lay evidence can place symptoms and treatment dates in time. The diagnosis, the Rai stage, and whether disease is active are clinical findings. A survivor looking at dependency and indemnity compensation can start at DIC. That page is context. It does not decide a leukemia claim.

The exam form

VA’s public DBQ list, checked September 28, 2026, names “Hematologic and Lymphatic Conditions, Including Leukemia” under Hematologic and Lymphatic. It is a public form, so a private clinician can complete it. It is not on the list of DBQs withheld from public use. This site does not yet have a hematologic DBQ guide. The index is DBQ guides.

The rating turns on whether disease is active or treatment is underway, the treatment stop date for the six-month examination, the Rai stage for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and the residuals after treatment. This page does not publish a form number.

Related codes and how they interact

Codes the schedule keeps separate from DC 7703, or sends back to it

DC 7719, chronic myelogenous leukemia, is excluded from the DC 7703 title. Its lines: “Requiring peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cell transplant, or continuous myelosuppressive or immunosuppressive therapy treatment,” 100 percent; “Requiring intermittent myelosuppressive therapy, or molecularly targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or interferon treatment when not in apparent remission,” 60 percent; “In apparent remission on continuous molecularly targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors,” 30 percent. Note (1): “If the condition undergoes leukemic transformation, evaluate as leukemia under diagnostic code 7703”.

DC 7704, polycythemia vera, Note (2): “If the condition undergoes leukemic transformation, evaluate as leukemia under diagnostic code 7703” Its 100 percent line is “Requiring peripheral blood or bone marrow stem-cell transplant or chemotherapy (including myelosuppressants) for the purpose of ameliorating the symptom burden”.

DC 7718, essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis, Note (1): “If the condition undergoes leukemic transformation, evaluate as leukemia under diagnostic code 7703.” Its 100 percent line is “Requiring either continuous myelosuppressive therapy, or, for six months following hospital admission for any of the following treatments: peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cell transplant, or chemotherapy, or interferon treatment”.

DC 7725, myelodysplastic syndromes, Note (1): “If the condition progresses to leukemia, evaluate as leukemia under diagnostic code 7703” Its 100 percent line is “Requiring peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cell transplant; or requiring chemotherapy”.

DC 7712, multiple myeloma: “Symptomatic multiple myeloma,” 100 percent, and “Asymptomatic, smoldering, or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS),” 0 percent.

DC 7715, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: “When there is active disease, during treatment phase, or with indolent and non-contiguous phase of low grade NHL,” 100 percent. Its note uses a mandatory examination two years after discontinuance of treatment, not the six months in DC 7703 Note (1).

DC 7709, Hodgkin's lymphoma: “With active disease or during a treatment phase,” 100 percent. Its note uses six months, and if there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.

DC 7716, aplastic anemia, is a different code. Its 100 percent line is “Requiring peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cell transplant; or requiring transfusion of platelets or red cells, on average, at least once every six weeks per 12-month period; or infections recurring, on average, at least once every six weeks per 12-month period”.

38 CFR § 4.14 (Avoidance of pyramiding) says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Reg: 38 CFR § 3.309(a) (Disease subject to presumptive service connection). The chronic-disease lead-in grants service connection for the listed diseases, although not otherwise established as incurred in or aggravated by service, if manifested to a compensable degree within the applicable time limits under § 3.307 following service in a period of war or following peacetime service on or after January 1, 1947, provided the rebuttable presumption provisions of § 3.307 are also satisfied. The list includes “Leukemia.” 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(3) says the chronic disease must have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year from the date of separation, except for the diseases that sentence names a longer period for. Section 3.307(b) says leukemia will be accepted as a chronic disease whether diagnosed as acute or chronic.

[Reg: § 3.309(d)(2)(i).] For a radiation-exposed veteran as § 3.309(d)(3) defines that term, and if § 3.307 is also satisfied, the listed diseases include “Leukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia).” The radiation-risk activities are defined in § 3.309(d)(3). This page does not restate that definition.

[Reg: § 3.309(e).] If a veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent during active military, naval, or air service, the listed diseases shall be service-connected if the requirements of § 3.307(a)(6) are met, provided the rebuttable presumption provisions of § 3.307(d) are also satisfied. The list includes “All chronic B-cell leukemias (including, but not limited to, hairy-cell leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia).” Location and date rules for herbicide exposure are in § 3.307(a)(6), including service in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962, through May 7, 1975, and the Korean DMZ dates that paragraph (a)(6)(iv) prints (April 1, 1968, through August 31, 1971). See Korea, DMZ, and Thailand and Nehmer.

[Reg: § 3.309(f)(4).] For exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune meeting § 3.307(a)(7), the list includes “Adult leukemia.” See Camp Lejeune water claims.

Reg: 38 CFR § 3.320 (Claims based on exposure to fine particulate matter). The chronic diseases in paragraph (a)(2) are asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis. The rare cancers in paragraph (a)(3) are squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx; squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea; adenocarcinoma of the trachea; salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea; adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung; large cell carcinoma of the lung; salivary gland-type tumors of the lung; sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung; and typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung. Leukemia is not in either list. The PACT Act page on this site is a separate discussion of published exposure lists. It does not add leukemia to § 3.320.

Short answers

How does VA rate leukemia under DC 7703?

Under 38 CFR § 4.117, Diagnostic Code 7703, leukemia except chronic myelogenous leukemia is rated 100 percent when there is active disease or during a treatment phase. Note (1) continues that evaluation past the end of surgery, radiation, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedures, and a mandatory VA examination six months after treatment stops sets the next rating. If there has been no recurrence, VA rates residuals under their own codes, and a reduction follows § 3.105(e). Asymptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia or MBL at Rai Stage 0 is 0 percent. Education only.

Is leukemia presumptive for herbicide exposure or Camp Lejeune?

38 CFR § 3.309(e) lists all chronic B-cell leukemias, including hairy-cell leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, for herbicide exposure when § 3.307(a)(6) is met. Section 3.309(f) lists adult leukemia for Camp Lejeune water exposure when § 3.307(a)(7) is met. Section 3.309(d) lists leukemia other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia for radiation-exposed veterans. Each presumption has qualifying-service rules. Education only.

FAQ

How does VA rate leukemia under DC 7703?

Under 38 CFR § 4.117, Diagnostic Code 7703 rates leukemia except chronic myelogenous leukemia at 100 percent when there is active disease or during a treatment phase. Otherwise, rate residuals under the appropriate diagnostic code or codes. Asymptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia or monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis at Rai Stage 0 is 0 percent. Chronic myelogenous leukemia is DC 7719, not this code.

How long does the 100 percent last, and what happens after treatment ends?

Note (1) continues the 100 percent evaluation beyond the cessation of surgical therapy, radiation therapy, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedures. Six months after that treatment is discontinued, a mandatory VA examination determines the rating. Any change based on that examination is subject to § 3.105(e). If there has been no recurrence, VA rates the residuals. Note (3) says to evaluate residuals of leukemia or of leukemia therapy under the appropriate code.

How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia rated?

The 0 percent line is chronic lymphocytic leukemia or monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, asymptomatic, Rai Stage 0. Note (2) says to evaluate symptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia at Rai Stage I, II, III, or IV the same as any other leukemia under this diagnostic code. The Rai stage is the clinician’s finding. This page does not define the stages.

Is chronic myelogenous leukemia rated under DC 7703?

No. The DC 7703 title is “Leukemia (except for chronic myelogenous leukemia).” DC 7719 rates chronic myelogenous leukemia, also called chronic myeloid leukemia or chronic granulocytic leukemia, at the 100, 60, and 30 percent lines quoted above. Note (1) of DC 7719 sends leukemic transformation back to DC 7703.

Which exposures have a leukemia presumption written in the regulations?

Section 3.309(a) lists “Leukemia” among the chronic diseases, on the § 3.307 time limit. Section 3.309(d)(2)(i) lists “Leukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia)” for radiation-exposed veterans. Section 3.309(e) lists all chronic B-cell leukemias, including hairy-cell leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, for herbicide exposure. Section 3.309(f)(4) lists “Adult leukemia” for Camp Lejeune water. Section 3.320’s fine-particulate lists do not name leukemia. Each presumption has its own service rules.

Next steps

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Hematologic / lymphatic, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Hematologic / lymphatic codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7703 • va.gov

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.

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