The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for squamous cell carcinoma, right tonsil with asbestosis and extraction of teeth numbers 1, 3, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 30. The AOJ must obtain retrospective opinions regarding the severity of these conditions from the date of award of service connection.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the prior remand directives were not fully complied with for these issues and thus requires further development to ensure proper evaluation based on residuals since the award of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma, right tonsil with asbestosis, extraction of teeth numbers 1, 3, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 30
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2024
- Citation
- 24034448
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 24034448.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, GERD, and Barrett's esophagus due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to in-service sun exposure or service-connected hypertension.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for skin cancer was dismissed due to untimeliness, while the claim for squamous cell carcinoma was granted.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for headaches and remanded claims for service connection for various other conditions, including open angle glaucoma, sensorineural hearing loss, asthma, heart disease, bladder cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his active service, including conceded in-service exposure to Agent Orange.
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