The veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to June 10, 1998, was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that from June 9, 1994 through March 26, 1998, the veteran's service-connected low back disability was productive of no more than the criteria associated with the 20 percent rating then in effect (characteristic pain on motion and slight vertebral deformity).
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple Myeloma, Fracture of Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 25, 2001
- Citation
- 0114796
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0114796.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected multiple myeloma contributed substantially and materially to his death.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of September 5, 2023, for the award of service connection for multiple myeloma and MGUS but denied a compensable evaluation for hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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