The Board has granted DIC benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected cause of death, which was multiple myeloma. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea and that this exposure contributed substantially or materially to the development of his multiple myeloma.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran served in a unit that operated near the Korean DMZ, which is considered part of the Vietnam era for purposes of herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's testimony supported his claim of herbicide exposure and Dr. Ellis' opinion supported the likelihood of such exposure contributing to multiple myeloma.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple myeloma, Brainstem herniation, Subdural hemorrhage
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2022
- Citation
- 22014293
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 22014293.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection for acute promyelocytic leukemia on a presumptive basis is granted. However, the claim for service connection on a direct causation basis is remanded due to a failure to provide a TERA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's retroactive compensation payments were validly created due to concurrent receipt of military pay and VA benefits, resulting in a debt that was properly recouped.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple myeloma, which was presumed to be caused by herbicide agent exposure during service, was a contributing factor to his death. Therefore, the claim of service connection for cause of death is granted.
- Granted
Service connection for multiple myeloma is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for COPD, PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.