The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil is related to his exposure to herbicide agents in service. The VA examiner employed an improperly high standard of proof when assessing the likelihood that the cancer was caused by Agent Orange exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA examiner's opinions were deficient and lacked supporting rationale, necessitating a new medical opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, oropharynx cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2022
- Citation
- 22014591
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 22014591.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure during service. The cause of death, metastatic head cancer, is also granted as it was a contributory cause.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion and consideration of prior service. The claim for service connection for cause of death is being reconsidered.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, finding that there was no evidence linking the cancer to his military service or toxic exposures.
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