The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and pharynx (oropharyngeal cancer) is found to be at least as likely as not due to tobacco use disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. Service connection for this condition is granted.
The deciding factor: Tobacco use disorder, a service-connected condition, is found to be the proximate cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and pharynx (oropharyngeal cancer).
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and pharynx (oropharyngeal cancer)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23045774
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 23045774.
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 has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's oropharyngeal cancer is being reviewed again, with consideration of new medical literature and potential proximate causation from a service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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