The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland and facial scars are related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The evidence suggests that the Veteran's salivary gland cancer may be related to Agent Orange exposure, which is a known mutagenic agent. The facial scars are also linked to treatment for the salivary gland cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland, facial scars
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23041465
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 23041465.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for the proposed reduction of facial scars, an increased rating for tinnitus, and service connection for migraines have been dismissed due to untimely filings or lack of good cause.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin cancer, facial scars, impairment of cranial nerve V and VII, left eye condition with watering and dryness, and left shoulder pain due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted service connection for melanoma and facial scars as secondary to the removal of his service-connected melanoma. The claims are based on exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Board has restored an initial rating of 80 percent for service-connected facial scars, effective February 1, 2025. The Veteran's facial scars are rated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin and meet criteria for a maximum 80 percent rating based on six characteristics of disfigurement.
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.