The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to radiation and chemicals during service, as well as his multiple myeloma. The AOJ is instructed to follow specific VA procedures for claims based on ionizing radiation exposure and provide a dose estimate if possible. Additionally, the Veteran needs to be scheduled for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine whether his multiple myeloma was caused by chemical exposure during service.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to radiation and chemicals during service, necessitating further development of this aspect of the claim. The AOJ is instructed to follow specific VA procedures for claims based on ionizing radiation exposure and provide a dose estimate if possible. Additionally, the need for an examination by an appropriate clinician was determined due to conflicting reports from the Veteran regarding his chemical exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- multiple myeloma
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19115612
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,934 · Granted: 41% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19115612.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 100 percent for service-connected multiple myeloma has been denied. The Board also remanded two issues related to nerve neuropathies, and the claims for TDIU and SMC have been denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple myeloma and back problems due to a duty to assist error. For multiple myeloma, the Veteran's exposure to asbestos is not verified. For back problems, an addendum opinion is needed to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding her training-related injuries.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, diabetes mellitus II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents.
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