The Board has granted service connection for right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service, specifically his in-service exposure to herbicides. The appeal is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the medical literature supports a link between Agent Orange exposure and increased susceptibility to HPV infection in the oral cavity and tonsils of Vietnam veterans, making them more prone to squamous cell carcinoma development.
- Claimed conditions
- right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma of the neck and throat
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20043619
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 20043619.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of the 100 percent disability rating for right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma and denied restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for loss of teeth with rampant decay, while also granting restoration of special monthly compensation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various cancers and lymph node conditions, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service or any presumptive exposure. The cancers were diagnosed many years after separation from service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service and noting that smoking tobacco use is a known risk factor for this type of cancer.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma is not service-connected as it did not occur during his military service and there is no evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim based on lack of in-service disease or injury, absence of a current disability related to service, and insufficient evidence to link the cancer to service.
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