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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20037017.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 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.
- Whole 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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