The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to head and neck cancer, which was not shown to be associated with exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange). The cancer was found to have been caused by a new condition that arose after service.
The deciding factor: Head and neck cancer was not shown to be related to Agent Orange exposure. Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue developed post-service and is considered a new condition, thus failing to meet the criteria for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- head and neck cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2008
- Citation
- 0808677
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 0808677.
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: Denied
The Veteran's death was due to carcinoma esophagus, with head and neck cancer noted as significant conditions. The Board found that the evidence does not support a connection between in-service herbicide agent exposure and the Veteran's cause of death.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, finding that it is related to active duty service due to exposure to Agent Orange.
- Whole decision: 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.
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