The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and neck due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is remanded. The RO must obtain medical records from his treating physicians, provide a new VA medical opinion regarding causality, and consider all evidence in the file.
The deciding factor: The Board requires a fully reasoned and comprehensive opinion addressing the Veteran's specific disorder, relevant medical history, and presumed in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and neck
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2022
- Citation
- 22018416
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 22018416.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for loss of all original teeth due to xerostomia and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and neck is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and service connection for this condition is granted.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
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.