Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder). Service connection is remanded for head and neck cancer.
The deciding factor: The mood disorder was found to be due to combat-related experiences in Vietnam, meeting the criteria for service connection. For head and neck cancer, a VA examiner's opinion was needed regarding its relation to herbicide agent exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- mood disorder, left neck squamous cell carcinoma and associated residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18119422
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 18119422.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also sought TDIU based on his mood disorder and anxiety, which was granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for asthma and a mood disorder, as well as TDIU benefits, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's passing during the appeal process.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for insomnia, depression, and mood disorder was dismissed because the March 2025 rating decision did not adjudicate these claims. The Veteran submitted a supplemental claim seeking service connection for anxiety condition, adjustment disorder, and depression (which had already been granted), but this did not address the issue of service connection for insomnia.
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