The Board found that the cause of death, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck, was not caused by or related to service-connected conditions. The appellant's contention that SCC was due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam was not supported by the VA opinion obtained.
The deciding factor: The VA opinion found no evidence linking the Veteran’s SCC to his active service or any service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1625266
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 1625266.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for tonsillar cancer and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that VA failed to provide a VA examination prior to the May 2020 rating decision on appeal.
- Granted
Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was granted due to herbicide agent exposure and service-connected PTSD contributing substantially or materially to the cause of death.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, including laryngeal cancer, and his total laryngectomy. The Board found that there was no link between these conditions and in-service asbestos exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is presumed to be caused by his in-service exposure to burn pits, granted service connection under the PACT Act.
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