The Board found no service connection for the cause of death due to a service-connected disability, and there was no evidence linking Agent Orange exposure to the veteran's cancer. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.
The deciding factor: There was no medical evidence linking the veteran's fatal cancer to his military service or to any service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the head
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 4, 2002
- Citation
- 0211253
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 0211253.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% evaluation for his service-connected NHL, and there are no other disabilities independently rated at 60% or more. Additionally, the evidence does not show that he requires aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for sebaceous carcinoma of the head and squamous cell carcinoma of the head have been granted due to the PACT Act, which establishes presumptive service connection based on in-service exposure. The rating assigned has not yet been determined.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a link between the Veteran's service and his disabilities that caused or contributed substantially to his death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the head is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional records.
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