The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of larynx cancer, finding that there was no direct evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a presumption of herbicide exposure in Thailand.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s larynx cancer was mostly likely caused by his history of heavy tobacco use rather than his active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- larynx cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20069067
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,170 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20069067.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for larynx cancer, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support a link between the condition and toxic exposures in service. The decision resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for larynx cancer was dismissed due to untimeliness.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded additional issues related to oral cancer and larynx cancer.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for esophageal cancer, benign prostate hypertrophy, and erectile dysfunction secondary to the now service-connected benign prostate hypertrophy. The claims for larynx cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a stomach disorder were denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.