The Board has granted service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and DIC based on the cause of death due to this condition, which is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The Veteran's immediate cause of death was oral squamous cell carcinoma.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma was most likely due to his presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus granted service connection for this condition as a presumptive disability. As the cause of death was also related to this service-connected condition, DIC benefits were also granted.
- Claimed conditions
- oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, oral squamous cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22005483
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 22005483.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion, as all elements of the McLendon criteria are met.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and residuals of surgery associated with it due to insufficient evidence regarding their relation to active duty, including potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 12, 2023, for service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's oral squamous cell carcinoma is being remanded for further development, including an addendum opinion from the VA examiner to determine if it was caused by in-service herbicide exposure.
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