{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/multiple-myeloma","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:30:14.610Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Multiple myeloma","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":673,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":33,"denied_pct":28.8,"remanded_pct":37.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":53.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":25,"granted_pct":36,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":24},{"year":2018,"issues":52,"granted_pct":30.8,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":34.6},{"year":2019,"issues":70,"granted_pct":30,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":38.6},{"year":2020,"issues":64,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":34.4,"remanded_pct":45.3},{"year":2021,"issues":70,"granted_pct":21.4,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":38.6},{"year":2022,"issues":66,"granted_pct":42.4,"denied_pct":21.2,"remanded_pct":33.3},{"year":2023,"issues":94,"granted_pct":36.2,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":39.4},{"year":2024,"issues":92,"granted_pct":33.7,"denied_pct":23.9,"remanded_pct":38},{"year":2025,"issues":106,"granted_pct":42.5,"denied_pct":23.6,"remanded_pct":33},{"year":2026,"issues":44,"granted_pct":27.3,"denied_pct":31.8,"remanded_pct":40.9}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":65,"granted_pct_with":71.4,"granted_pct_without":51},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":351,"granted_pct_with":43.4,"granted_pct_without":66.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":141,"granted_pct_with":87.7,"granted_pct_without":40.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":246,"granted_pct_with":42.6,"granted_pct_without":60.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":268,"granted_pct_with":64.9,"granted_pct_without":43.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":66,"granted_pct_with":82,"granted_pct_without":49.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":510,"granted_pct_with":48.8,"granted_pct_without":72},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":48,"granted_pct_with":75.7,"granted_pct_without":51.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":55},{"reason":"veteran diagnosed with multiple myeloma","decisions":8},{"reason":"veteran served in thailand during vietnam era","decisions":6},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":5},{"reason":"presumptive service connection for multiple myeloma due to herbicide exposure","decisions":5},{"reason":"direct service connection established","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":24},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":22},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":17},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":15},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":15},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":11}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26035819","year":2026,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"Veteran diagnosed with multiple myeloma.; Claimed exposure to herbicides in Okinawa and Vietnam.; Veteran's statements found credible and probative.; Board found more likely than not exposed to herbicides in Okinawa.; Benefit of doubt applied for Vietnam service.; Multiple myeloma is a presumptive c… [truncated, 37 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26034542","year":2026,"judge":"A. C. MACKENZIE","rationale":"Favorable finding from AOJ decision is binding on the Board; AOJ granted service connection for multiple myeloma"},{"case_id":"A26033690","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"Veteran served in qualifying period and location for Blue Water Navy presumption.; Multiple myeloma is an enumerated disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor due to conflicting evidence on ship's exact location."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040487","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Veteran already rated at maximum 100% for symptomatic myeloma.; No evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances for extraschedular consideration."},{"case_id":"26004705","year":2026,"judge":"LESLEY A. REIN","rationale":"Veteran's MGUS was not active or in a treatment phase.; Criteria for 100 percent rating not met.; Benefit of the doubt doctrine not applicable for this claim."},{"case_id":"26004508","year":2026,"judge":"RYAN T. KESSEL","rationale":"No current diagnosis of multiple myeloma; VA examinations found no objective evidence of diagnosis or treatment; Veteran not competent to provide medical diagnosis"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}