The Board denied service connection for residuals of mouth or jaw cancer, finding that the Veteran's ameloblastoma was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is less likely than not related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence linking the ameloblastoma to herbicide exposure or service, and the opinion was considered more probative than the Veteran's lay assertions.
- Claimed conditions
- ameloblastoma, mouth cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 22, 2018
- Citation
- 18113353
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 18113353.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for mouth, throat, and esophagus cancer based on an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence indicating the cancers were incurred in service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's ameloblastoma, finding that it is related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure. The decision is based on a balance of probative medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your appeal for throat and mouth cancer has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this matter as it is no longer pending.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's ameloblastoma and OSA were not service-connected, with the decision on ameloblastoma being denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or radiation exposure. The case is remanded for further development regarding OSA.
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