The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil, finding no evidence linking the condition to in-service exposure or other risk factors.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a link between the veteran's cancer and Agent Orange exposure, nor were there any other risk factors identified that could be blamed as the etiological agent for his malignancy.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2008
- Citation
- 0811613
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a new VA medical opinion addressing all of the Veteran's claimed in-service toxic exposures, including herbicide agents, asbestos, concrete dust, burning waste, asphalt, and related chemicals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection of squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil due to toxic exposure in service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil and adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells, as well as related nerve conditions and secondary disorders.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the claim.
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