The Veteran's residuals of larynx cancer include hoarseness and difficulty talking, but do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no evidence of thickening or nodules of cords, polyps, submucous infiltration, pre-malignant changes on biopsy, constant inability to speak above a whisper, or constant inability to communicate by speech.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hoarseness does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is not accompanied by other residuals such as thickening of cords or polyps that would warrant a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6516.
- Claimed conditions
- hoarseness, difficulty talking
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2015
- Citation
- 1546345
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 1546345.
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.
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an effective date of January 10, 2017, for the award of service connection for hoarseness, swallowing difficulties, and constipation associated with multiple sclerosis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for further examination and evidence collection, as the previous VA examination did not adequately capture the severity of the Veteran's disabilities during flaring episodes.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a review to properly determine the severity of the Veteran's throat cancer residuals, including peripheral neuropathy, loss of dentition, dry mouth, hoarseness, GERD, shortness of breath, left pneumothorax, and rhonchi conditions.
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