Service connection is granted for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The skin disorder issue remains remanded as insufficient evidence was provided regarding its etiology.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and medical opinion were inadequate, specifically failing to address all diagnosed skin disorders and the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, actinic keratosis with hypopigmentation, basal cell carcinoma of the left neck and behind the ear, basal cell carcinoma of the upper extremities, basal cell carcinoma of the left chest
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21073425
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 21073425.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, finding that it is related to active duty service due to exposure to Agent Orange.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 1, 2021, for the award of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and related disabilities.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, neurocognitive disorder with Alzheimer's, hypertension, and TDIU.
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