The Veteran's claim for service connection for right tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the cancer is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, granting service connection.
The deciding factor: A medical opinion linked the Veteran's cancer to his herbicide exposure in service.
- Claimed conditions
- right tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2014
- Citation
- 1415401
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 1415401.
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: Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran's right tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma did not begin during his active duty service and is not presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The evidence does not support a finding of continuous symptomatology prior to separation from service, nor does it establish a direct link between the cancer and military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
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