The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is not shown to be related to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The cancer was first diagnosed over 40 years after separation from service and there is no credible evidence linking it to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his cancer and presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2014
- Citation
- 1412959
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 1412959.
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: 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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