The Board has granted service connection for left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange (herbicides).
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2015
- Citation
- 1512224
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 1512224.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete evidence, including a TERA memorandum. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma or residuals is being returned for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it was related to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. As a result of resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, the claim is now granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a tonsil disability, including left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma. The Court of Appeals for Veteran’s Claims has ordered a remand due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions regarding examination findings and rationale. A new VA examiner opinion is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tonsil disability, including left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, is not caused by or related to his active duty service. The Veteran's hypertension was also not shown to be incurred in service.
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