The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, neurocognitive disorder with Alzheimer's, hypertension, and TDIU.

The deciding factor: The evidence was in approximate balance as to whether a nexus existed between an in-service event or exposure and the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. However, there was no causal relationship established for the other conditions appealed.

Claimed conditions

squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, neurocognitive disorder with Alzheimer's, hypertension, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

November 7, 2025

Citation

A25097145

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine