The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa, finding that it is a form of respiratory cancer and was acquired due to Agent Orange exposure during service.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence established that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa was related to his service in Vietnam and Agent Orange exposure, warranting direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2002
- Citation
- 0206290
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 0206290.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's fatigue as a residual of his squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is granted a separate rating.,His hyposmia does not warrant an increased rating, as it has been rated at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.,His hypogeusia remains at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.,The post surgical scar on the left side of the neck is granted a disability rating of 30 percent effective from January 9, 2006.,The painful status post surgical scar on the left side of the neck remains at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service exposure to herbicides, including Agent Blue. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is found to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and specifically denied service connection based on direct causation. The VA examiner concluded that there is less than a 50% probability that the cancer is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.
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