The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to oropharyngeal carcinoma, which is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during service.,The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was dismissed as the cause of death was already established through service connection.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise regarding whether Agent Orange exposure contributed to the Veteran's hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which caused his death.,As the cause of death was established through service connection for the cause of death, the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was moot and dismissed.
- Claimed conditions
- oropharyngeal carcinoma, hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20061011
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 20061011.
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 veteran's service connection for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and related conditions was granted. Service connection for cataracts was denied, and issues regarding dry mouth and teeth removal were remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision could be made.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has jurisdiction to consider the merits of the appeal for oropharyngeal carcinoma under the legacy appeals system, finding that the December 2018 Notice of Disagreement was adequate and timely.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for oropharyngeal carcinoma, related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, is granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a causal link between the Veteran's exposure and his cancer.
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