The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma due to exposure to burn pits, as there was no valid appeal because the AMA and RAMP were not yet in effect at the time of the rating decision.
The deciding factor: The Board lacked jurisdiction due to the improper docketing action and the fact that the Veteran did not have an opportunity to opt-in to the RAMP system before the rating decision was issued.
- Claimed conditions
- multiple myeloma
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 13, 2020
- Citation
- A20015456
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, finding no evidence that the Veteran's condition was related to his military service.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew all claims on appeal, and the Board dismissed the appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, finding that the Veteran's condition was caused by his conceded in-service toxic risk exposure activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing the Veteran with a VA examination and medical opinion.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.