The Veteran's oropharyngeal cancer is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for oropharyngeal cancer is granted.
The deciding factor: A medical opinion provided by VA indicates that the Veteran's oropharyngeal cancer is related to his service and exposure to herbicides during service, specifically Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1735748
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 1735748.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case for the AOJ to issue a statement of the case addressing the claim for a higher initial rating and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development regarding the cause of death and service connection claims. The Veteran's COPD and oropharyngeal cancer are not presumed diseases related to herbicide agent exposure, but may still be service-connected on a direct basis. The claim will be reviewed after obtaining updated medical records and opinions from an expert.
- Granted
The Veteran's oropharyngeal cancer is considered a respiratory cancer associated with herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition on a presumptive basis is granted. The kidney disorder claim remains pending as the VA has not provided an opinion regarding its etiology.
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