The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol dependence, and thus grants service connection on a secondary basis.
The deciding factor: The medical expert opinion indicated that there was no evidence linking SCC of the oral cavity to Agent Orange or other herbicides. However, it supported a strong connection between SCC of the head and neck and tobacco and alcohol use. Given the Veteran's history of alcohol dependence, the Board found in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1722797
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 1722797.
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 veteran's service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa was granted with an effective date of May 19, 2017. A 100% rating was assigned from May 19, 2017, to April 16, 2018. The veteran also received a 40% rating for residuals of a resection of the left scapula and a TDIU.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus and squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa have been granted service connection, with tinnitus being linked to in-service noise exposure and squamous cell carcinoma linked to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa manifested more than one year after separation from service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease, including herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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