The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claimant's contentions were found insufficient to establish a relationship with service.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s squamous cell carcinoma was caused by his military service, including herbicide exposure and sunlight exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the neck
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21021927
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 21021927.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service connection claims for squamous cell carcinoma of the neck and bad teeth with dry mouth as secondary to squamous cell carcinoma of the neck have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for larynx cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, tonsil, lymph nodes, larynx, and tongue as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding service connection for larynx cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the neck. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed by a qualified examiner who must provide an updated opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the cancer is related to service, specifically herbicide exposure.
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