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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21042165.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 tongue cancer, finding that the Veteran's tongue cancer is not etiologically related to his military service or herbicide exposure.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- 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.
- 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.
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