The Veteran's oropharyngeal carcinoma, which was the cause of his death, is found to be service-connected as it is not a respiratory cancer and there is no evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure. As a result, the appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is rendered moot.
The deciding factor: The oropharyngeal carcinoma was found to be of service origin but not due to herbicide exposure as there are no respiratory cancers listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).
- Claimed conditions
- Oropharyngeal carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2014
- Citation
- 1436234
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 1436234.
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
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The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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