The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus, contributed substantially and materially to his death from squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue. The cause of death is therefore granted.
The deciding factor: Service connection for the cause of death was established based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributing substantially and materially to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1553308
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 1553308.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable disability rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue and remanded an earlier effective date claim.
- Granted
The Veteran's oral cancer is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue, finding that it is not a respiratory cancer and thus not covered by presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible link between the condition and his treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of his tongue. The claim for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue is granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran's dental disorder, resulting from radiation treatment for his service-connected squamous cell carcinoma, is also granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.