The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell cancer of the left tonsil and tongue with left modified radical neck dissection and tonsillectomy is at least as likely as not associated with herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by Dr. C.K., a board-certified radiation oncologist, supported the Veteran's claim that his cancer was caused by his in-service herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell cancer of the left tonsil, left modified radical neck dissection, tonsillectomy
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20022258
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 20022258.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 withdrew his appeals for the claims of erectile dysfunction, left knee disability, right knee disability, tonsillectomy, and uvulectomy. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell cancer of the left tonsil (tonsil cancer) and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of adenocarcinoma of the lung, right upper lobe prior to October 19, 2021.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD and depressive disorder with insomnia from December 29, 2020, but denied increased ratings for the veteran's other conditions.
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