The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of a throat disability related to cancer surgery. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his squamous cell carcinoma and other conditions are related to exposure to chemicals at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The new medical evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma and other conditions may be linked to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune, which is presumed for veterans who served there during specified periods.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, eating disorder, speech impairment, loss of a portion of the mandible, loss of teeth, scars of the mouth
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2023
- Citation
- A23029778
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 A23029778.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for compensation under 38 USC § 1151 for loss of teeth, and the appeal is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected speech impairment, service connection for headaches/migraines, and service connection for Meniere's disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, CAD, and bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for loss of teeth was denied as her disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9913.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for telogen effluvium (claimed as hair loss) was also denied, as there is no evidence that she has lost all body hair.
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