The Board remands the claim for service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion, as all elements of the McLendon criteria are met.
The deciding factor: Remand is required due to the failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination regarding his oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma claim, which constitutes a duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25051716
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 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and residuals of surgery associated with it due to insufficient evidence regarding their relation to active duty, including potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 12, 2023, for service connection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's left eye condition is related to service, as it found that the condition did not preexist service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer, related to in-service exposures at Camp Lejeune.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.