The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for soft palate oral cancer and a dental disability, both related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development is needed due to the Veteran's assertions of service connection based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam, which may affect the nature and etiology of his oral cancer and dental disability.
- Claimed conditions
- soft palate oral cancer, dental disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20044621
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 20044621.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's right knee tendinopathy, tendinitis is not rated higher than 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and a need to obtain more information from the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's oropharyngeal cancer with soft palate reconstruction is granted service connection, and the claim for a dental disability secondary to this condition is remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board is dismissing the case.
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