The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and not related to herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of nasopharyngeal cancer during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnosis was made after discharge, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the condition and his military service or herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2015
- Citation
- 1500176
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1500176.
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 Veteran's cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure, but a VA examiner must provide an opinion on the medical probability of this relationship.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, which is presumed related to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran needs an examination by an oncologist with expertise in this area.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, finding that it is not related to military service, including presumed herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx is related to his active service, particularly exposure to herbicide agents.
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