The Veteran's partial pharyngectomy is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The case is remanded for further development regarding a separate rating for hoarseness, dry mouth, and vocal cord pain due to speaking, as well as consideration of TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's partial pharyngectomy resulted in difficulty swallowing and constant sore throat, which are encompassed by the current 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6521. The case is remanded for further development regarding a separate rating for hoarseness, dry mouth, and vocal cord pain due to speaking.
- Claimed conditions
- partial pharyngectomy, cancer of the hypopharynx region
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19174098
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 19174098.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
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