The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning and lack of substantial compliance with a previous Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the throat is being reviewed again by an oncologist or otolaryngologist to determine if it is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the June 2021 VA medical opinion was inadequate and remanded for a more experienced doctor of oncology or ear, nose and throat specialist to provide an addendum opinion addressing the nexus between the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides and his squamous cell carcinoma of the throat.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the throat
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2022
- Citation
- 22071116
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 22071116.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and throat is at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. Service connection for these conditions is therefore granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the throat to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's condition and his service-connected GERD, as well as any toxic exposures during service at Camp Lejeune.
- Partly granted
The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the throat as due to herbicide exposure. The claims for secondary service connection for various disabilities are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the throat and related disorders were denied. The cancer is not considered a disease associated with herbicide exposure, and there is no evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to active service.
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