The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right base of tongue and lymph node of neck, as these conditions are presumed due to herbicide agent exposure. The VA is instructed to obtain Social Security Administration records and provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cancer.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran’s squamous cell carcinoma is related to his military service, specifically due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the right base of tongue, squamous cell carcinoma of the lymph node of neck
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18117592
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 18117592.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right base of tongue, finding that it is not due to his military service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's cancer was not a presumptive condition due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran does not have a current disability or residuals thereof, and therefore service connection is denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
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