The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, which required a partial palatectomy, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.
The deciding factor: A private physician provided an opinion that the Veteran's head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was as likely as not caused by herbicidal exposure during military service.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, partial palatectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2014
- Citation
- 1411402
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1411402.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed residuals of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, finding that it is related to presumed herbicide agent exposure during active duty service. The decision is based on medical opinions and evidence from a study showing higher rates of oral cavity and pharynx cancer in Korean and Australian Vietnam veterans.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and base of the tongue, finding that it is etiologically related to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with tobacco and alcohol use disorders.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx as due to exposure to herbicides, finding that the Veteran's cancer was more likely related to his smoking history rather than Agent Orange exposure.
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