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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0808677.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.
- 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.
- 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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