The Board has denied service connection for mouth and tongue cancer due to the absence of a current diagnosis. The remaining claims, including sinus disability, lung disability, arteriosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, and nicotine dependence, are pending as they require further development.
The deciding factor: The appellant does not have diagnosed cancer of the tongue or mouth, which is required for service connection under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Mouth and Tongue Cancer, Sinus Disability (Including Respiratory Infections), Lung Disability, Arteriosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease of the Right Lower Extremity, Nicotine Dependence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2002
- Citation
- 0200299
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0200299.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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