The veteran's postoperative throat cancer, diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of the epiglottis and left anterior laryngeal surface, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides. The Board found that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the veteran had primary cancer of the larynx, and thus granted service connection for throat cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the veteran had recurrent T2, N0, M0 squamous cell carcinoma localized in his glottis and larynx, which was presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative throat cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of tissue from a biopsy of the epiglottis, squamous cell carcinoma of tissue from a biopsy of the left anterior laryngeal surface
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2002
- Citation
- 0212751
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 0212751.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during his time in Vietnam.
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