The Veteran's service connection claim for oropharynx cancer was denied as the condition is not causally related to his military service. Claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and left wrist sprain prior to April 17, 2018 were also denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's oropharynx cancer was caused by in-service radiation exposure or any other environmental exposures, including asbestos. The claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of current disability meeting the criteria for such ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- oropharynx cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2022
- Citation
- 22009904
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 22009904.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that new evidence supports the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for oropharynx cancer, and finds that exposure to PFOS and PFAS during active duty is at least as likely as not related to the development of the Veteran's oropharynx cancer. Service connection is therefore granted.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scars resulting from surgery for malignant melanoma incurred during active duty service and remanded the other claims for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal concerning compensation for service-connected oropharynx cancer is remanded because the VA did not provide an audit of payments. The Board will consider new evidence in the future.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as they significantly restrict his movements, impair his ability to focus on work tasks, and cause frequent bathroom breaks.
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