The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue/throat and related residuals are service-connected due to exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune. The metastatic lymphadenopathy is also service-connected as it was a result of his primary cancer.,His depressive disorder is service-connected on a secondary basis, as it developed as a result of his service-connected cancer. His low back disability is service-connected based on the in-service trauma he experienced during parachute training.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma and related conditions are presumed to be due to exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune, which is a recognized risk factor for these types of cancers. The metastatic lymphadenopathy was also caused by the primary cancer.,His depressive disorder developed as a result of his service-connected cancer, specifically because he was trying to cope with his physical illness.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue/throat, metastatic lymphadenopathy, depressive disorder, lumbosacral joint disease/osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1744466
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 1744466.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's vascular headaches are granted effective August 22, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective February 11, 2015. SMC based on housebound criteria is denied prior to July 14, 2020.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for depressive disorder, effective August 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper and did not comply with applicable regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, kleptomania, and PTSD is being remanded due to the AOJ's failure to obtain medical records from his periods of incarceration or a medical opinion regarding his diagnoses.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for migraine headaches effective August 10, 2022.,The Veteran was granted service connection for depressive disorder effective April 11, 2024.
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