The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma and his service, including presumed herbicide exposure or service-connected prostate cancer. The condition was diagnosed many years after discharge.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion provided by the VA examiner found no evidence of pre-cancerous lesions during service, and noted that tobacco use is a strong risk factor for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue. The Veteran's prostate cancer was also not linked to his squamous cell carcinoma.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2018
- Citation
- 1815186
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 1815186.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about VA's care and potential secondary service connection for prostate cancer. The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the head, neck, and tongue is being reviewed for possible direct service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue is not service-connected, as it was not caused by or related to his military service. The claim for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's throat cancer is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, but not due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the cancer may be linked to herbicide exposure and to obtain updated treatment records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue is being remanded for a determination on whether it is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.
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