The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his hypopharynx cancer, which was found to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange. The Board also established direct service connection for the hypopharynx cancer.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided a link between the Veteran's hypopharynx cancer and his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- hypopharynx cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2023
- Citation
- 23016077
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 23016077.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypopharynx cancer and obstructive sleep apnea to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death, pneumonia and hypopharynx cancer, was not caused by or related to his military service. The Board found no evidence linking the fatal diseases to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the January 2020 decision and the need for an advisory opinion from an independent medical expert. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypopharynx cancer is being reviewed again.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypopharynx cancer, finding that the condition did not manifest within one year of discharge and was not related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.
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.