The Board has restored service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, status post carcinoma of the right tonsil with impaired speech and decreased saliva function, and sarcoidosis. Service connection was initially granted based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange during Vietnam service.
The deciding factor: VA's VHA determined that it is possible but not certain that the veteran’s squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil was caused by herbicide exposure during his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, status post carcinoma of the right tonsil, sarcoidosis, decreased saliva function
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2006
- Citation
- 0610470
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis as new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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