The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for metastatic squamous cell cancer of the neck, throat, tongue and shoulder muscles on the basis of exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) and for PTSD due to in-service stressful experiences. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA examination to assess the relationship between any diagnosed cancers and Agent Orange exposure, as well as to attempt to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the veteran's cancer diagnoses were related to Agent Orange exposure. The RO is required to obtain a dose assessment for the veteran's radiation-exposed cancers and to attempt to independently verify the veteran's reported stressful experiences during service.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic squamous cell cancer of the neck, squamous cell carcinoma of the left neck from an unknown primary lesion, hard tumor anterior right neck, firm nodule on level II which was fine needle aspirated and shown to be squamous cell carcinoma, two masses on the left side of the neck thought to be level II and level III lymph nodes, head and neck cancer, unknown site, solid 'ent' tumor, invasive squamous cell carcinoma at the left base of the tongue
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2007
- Citation
- 0716236
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0716236.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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