The Veteran's claim for service connection for oral cancer is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including consideration of presumed exposure to tactical herbicides during service.
The deciding factor: A medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran has respiratory cancer or its residuals, and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service, including presumed exposure to tactical herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the right tongue base, squamous cell carcinoma in situ of branchial cleft cyst lining
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 16, 2018
- Citation
- 1809444
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1809444.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the right tongue base is granted as service connected, and his increased disability rating for right shoulder biceps tendonitis is also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tongue base and cervical lymph nodes, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service or herbicide exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's post-treatment residuals of squamous cell carcinoma, including osteoradionecrosis, were found to be secondary to VA treatment and the lack of informed consent for an endotracheal intubation during a biopsy procedure. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
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