The Veteran's claim for service connection for throat cancer, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer and presumes exposure to herbicides based on his Vietnam Service Medal.
The deciding factor: The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding the anatomical origin of the Veteran's throat cancer but resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding it more likely that the cancer originated in his throat. The presumption of Agent Orange exposure is also granted.
- Claimed conditions
- throat cancer
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19131496
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19131496.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for throat cancer to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service, including exposure to herbicide agents, and his development of throat cancer.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for throat cancer to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing on his supplemental claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for throat cancer due to a pre-decisional error in not verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure to toxic materials.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for prostate and throat cancers due to a lack of proper development regarding potential exposures to PFAS and herbicides during active duty.
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