The Board denied service connection for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and the cause of death due to metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The Veteran's cancer was not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos or radiation.
The deciding factor: There is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's metastatic squamous cell carcinoma to his military service, including any potential exposure to asbestos or radiation.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic squamous cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 9, 2023
- Citation
- 23008791
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 23008791.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to exposure to toxins/chemicals during his military service.,Service connection was also granted for the cause of death due to metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, may be related to herbicide exposure during service. However, due to a lack of medical opinion on this issue, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.
- Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by multi-organ failure due to or as a result of squamous cell carcinoma, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, radiation pneumonitis, and severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Board finds service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted based on presumed exposure to an herbicide agent during his service in Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of an addendum medical opinion from an oncologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the cancer was incurred in or related to service, including any confirmed radiation or asbestos exposure.
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