Service connection is granted for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue, including metastasis to the neck and associated treatment.,Service connection is also granted for loss of sense of taste due to SCC of the base of the tongue.,Residual scars related to head/neck cancer treatment are service-connected.,Numbness of the face, neck, and chest is service-connected.,Weakness and limitation of motion of the left shoulder, including adhesive capsulitis, is service-connected.,Anemia associated with chronic fatigue is service-connected.,Left ventricular hypertrophy is service-connected.,Hepatic steatosis / ‘fatty liver’ is service-connected.,GERD is service-connected.,Sleep apnea is service-connected.,A gastrointestinal disorder manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation is service-connected.
The deciding factor: Service connection for the conditions was granted based on in-service exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune (featuring benzene, trichloroethylene (“TCE”), and perchloroethylene (“PCE”)).
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the base of the tongue, loss of sense of taste, numbness of the face, neck, and chest, weakness and limitation of motion of the left shoulder, anemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, hepatic steatosis / ‘fatty liver’, GERD, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20054484
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 20054484.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
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