The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek is related to sun exposure during service. Cancer of the hands has not been diagnosed, and thus service connection for cancer of the hands is denied. Service connection for cancer of the neck is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek was related to service due to sun exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek, cancer of the neck
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20035331
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 20035331.
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: Granted
The Veteran's facial scars are related to in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek and basal cell carcinoma of the right nasolabial crease and left upper lip.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for cancer of the neck (claimed as throat cancer and tonsil cancer) in January 2006. The Veteran's claim was reopened, but new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for cancer of the neck, heart condition, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Korea.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek are related to his service, including exposure to sunlight during his time in Vietnam. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.
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