The Board denied service connection for hypopharynx cancer, finding that the condition did not manifest within one year of discharge and was not related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was based on an inaccurate factual premise regarding the presumptive association between the Veteran’s cancer and exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- hypopharynx cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20065944
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's hypopharynx cancer, concluding that there is no causal relationship between his active duty service and the condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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