Multiple Myeloma Claim

[Mil T]

I'm wondering if anyone has handled a claim or have filed a claim for Multiple Myeloma when they have been diagnosed with Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, or MGUS. This can be a precurser to MM. MGUS is not MM but doctors have to continue to monitor for MM if you have MGUS.

Does anyone have experience with the VA and MGUS?

Thanks,

Mil T

[georgiapapa]

Mil T

I currently have a pending claim with VA for smoldering multiple myeloma. I filed my claim in October 2011. I was diagnosed with MGUS in August 2009 and then I was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma in September 2010 after I had a bone marrow biopsy which indicated a plasma cell percentage of 12%. My last bone marrow results indicated 22% plasma cell percentage. At first, I was not going to file a claim for smoldering multiple myeloma since it is considered asymptomatic but input with others on this forum convinced me to do otherwise. Berta, who is one of the moderators on this forum, provided me with a BVA decision where the veteran was successful with a smoldering multiple myeloma claim. However, I have not heard of anyone who was successful with a MGUS claim.

According to my oncologists, some people with MGUS never develop multiple myeloma but people with multiple myeloma more than likely had MGUS first. Keep your fingers crossed that your MGUS will never develop into multiple myeloma.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

Georgiapapa...