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.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's tongue cancer was less likely than not related to his service, including being caused by in-service herbicide exposure. The Board also noted that the private medical opinions were speculative and insufficient to establish causation.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma oral, tongue cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21065274
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 21065274.
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 Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective September 18, 2023. Effective that date, the Veteran also becomes eligible for DEA benefits and has an effective date of service connection for various conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was due to tongue cancer (metastatic) and hypercalcemia. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death as there is no evidence linking the tongue cancer or hypercalcemia to service, including exposure to herbicides or contaminated water from Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for a skin disability, throat cancer, tongue cancer, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there was no valid claim or appeal pending at the time of the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for tongue cancer has been withdrawn and dismissed by the Veteran.
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.