The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma to the lymph nodes. The case will be further reviewed by a medical professional to determine the etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence to support presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure, but did not rule out direct or secondary service connection based on the Veteran's history and risk factors.
- Claimed conditions
- oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma to the lymph nodes
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2018
- Citation
- 18131314
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 18131314.
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
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion, as all elements of the McLendon criteria are met.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and residuals of surgery associated with it due to insufficient evidence regarding their relation to active duty, including potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 12, 2023, for service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and DIC based on the cause of death due to this condition, which is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The Veteran's immediate cause of death was oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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