The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma oral, tongue was denied in April 2012. New evidence received since then suggests a possible link to Agent Orange exposure. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and an opinion on the cause or aggravation of the condition by in-service herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The new medical opinions suggest a possible connection between the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma oral, tongue and his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma oral, squamous cell carcinoma tongue
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21042165
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 21042165.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 Board denied service connection for tongue cancer, finding that the Veteran's tongue cancer is not etiologically related to his military service or herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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