The veteran's terminal squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is not service-connected, and there is no evidence that it was caused by herbicide exposure. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied as the veteran was not receiving compensation at the time of his death.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner could not establish a causal relationship between the veteran's terminal squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and service or any service-connected disability, including herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2006
- Citation
- 0607119
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 1, 2021, for the award of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and related disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, neurocognitive disorder with Alzheimer's, hypertension, and TDIU.
- Granted
The veteran's claim for service connection of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is granted. The decision was based on evidence showing that the cancer is related to in-service exposures to Agent Orange and asbestos.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and its secondary conditions, but dismissed the appeal for other issues due to withdrawal by the Veteran.
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