The Veteran's cancer of the pharynx is not found to be causally or etiologically related to his period of active service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The symptoms were not chronic in service and have not been continuous since service separation.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence showing that the Veteran had a malignant tumor during service or within one year of separation from active service, nor any link between the Veteran's pharyngeal cancer and active service, to include exposure to herbicide.
- Claimed conditions
- cancer of the pharynx
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2014
- Citation
- 1425242
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 1425242.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service-connected compensation was denied, and the appellant is not a dependent child of the Veteran. Therefore, she cannot receive accrued benefits.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus did not cause or hasten his death, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge seated at the RO.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for cancers of the larynx, pharynx, and tongue due to presumed exposure to herbicides during military service. The most probative evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.