The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue was denied due to lack of a causal link between his radiation exposure in service and the development of the cancer. The Board found that while the Veteran had been exposed to ionizing radiation, there was no evidence linking this exposure to the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic thrombocytopenia (thrombocytopenia) was granted based on his history of ionizing radiation exposure in service. The Board found that the low dose of whole-body ionizing radiation he received over five open-air atomic bomb detonations could have caused his thrombocytopenia.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence did not support a causal link between the Veteran's documented radiation exposure in service and his development of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, chronic thrombocytopenia
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2018
- Citation
- 18149114
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 18149114.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, finding that it is related to active duty service due to exposure to Agent Orange.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 1, 2021, for the award of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and related disabilities.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, neurocognitive disorder with Alzheimer's, hypertension, and TDIU.
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