The Board found that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and specifically denied service connection based on direct causation. The VA examiner concluded that there is less than a 50% probability that the cancer is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The April 2011 VA examination report indicated that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is not causally or etiologically related to or aggravated by his active service, including his exposure to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2011
- Citation
- 1141540
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 1141540.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's fatigue as a residual of his squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is granted a separate rating.,His hyposmia does not warrant an increased rating, as it has been rated at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.,His hypogeusia remains at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.,The post surgical scar on the left side of the neck is granted a disability rating of 30 percent effective from January 9, 2006.,The painful status post surgical scar on the left side of the neck remains at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service exposure to herbicides, including Agent Blue. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is found to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, including exposure to herbicides.
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