The Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil and left lateral tongue, status post radical neck dissections, tonsillectomy and left partial glossectomy prior to June 10, 2009, resulted in a combined rating of 80 percent. The Board granted an initial noncompensable (0%) disability rating for the service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil and left lateral tongue, status post radical neck dissections, tonsillectomy and left partial glossectomy prior to June 10, 2009.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined rating of 80 percent from November 21, 2003, to June 10, 2009, included the service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil and left lateral tongue. The Board granted a noncompensable disability rating for this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil and left lateral tongue, atrophy of the right trapezius muscle, weakness of the muscles of the right hand, osteonecrosis of the right mandible, right thoracic outlet syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- October 8, 2014
- Citation
- 1444907
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 1444907.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected right thoracic outlet syndrome and major depressive disorder prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 30, 2016. The Board granted TDIU effective March 3, 2015.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for right thoracic outlet syndrome, COPD secondary to a pulmonary embolism, and an increased rating for left thoracic outlet syndrome with history of subclavian vein thrombosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA opinions and examinations, as not all theories of entitlement have been addressed.
- Granted
The Board has granted the initial disability rating of 40 percent for atrophy of the right trapezius muscle, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5301. The effective date remains unchanged as it was assigned upon service connection.
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