The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran's right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, malignant neoplasm of the lymph nodes of the head, face, and neck, pulmonary nodules, and skin carcinoma are related to his service-connected left lung cancer and/or metastatic liver cancer.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is no medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lung cancer and/or metastatic liver cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, malignant neoplasm of the lymph nodes of the head, malignant neoplasm of the lymph node of the face, malignant neoplasm of the lymph node of the neck, pulmonary nodules, skin carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20037017
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 20037017.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his COPD with ILD, specifically bronchiectasis and pulmonary nodules as it is a freestanding claim that cannot be filed after a final decision.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary nodules are causally related to his active duty military service and grants entitlement to service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a challenge regarding the competency of the VA examiner who provided an opinion on the Veteran's COPD and pulmonary nodules. The Veteran's representative argued that the examiner lacked sufficient training and expertise, necessitating further investigation.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, brain tumor, and pulmonary nodules due to toxic exposures in service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical records, and VA examiners have provided opinions linking these conditions to his exposure to various toxins during military service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.