{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/neoplasm-hard-and-soft-tissue-malignant-oral-cancer","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:31.241Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Neoplasm hard and soft tissue malignant (oral cancer)","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":832,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":11.5,"denied_pct":52.6,"remanded_pct":35.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":18,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":46,"granted_pct":6.5,"denied_pct":63,"remanded_pct":23.9},{"year":2018,"issues":81,"granted_pct":6.2,"denied_pct":67.9,"remanded_pct":22.2},{"year":2019,"issues":104,"granted_pct":8.7,"denied_pct":60.6,"remanded_pct":29.8},{"year":2020,"issues":131,"granted_pct":4.6,"denied_pct":55,"remanded_pct":40.5},{"year":2021,"issues":87,"granted_pct":6.9,"denied_pct":51.7,"remanded_pct":36.8},{"year":2022,"issues":92,"granted_pct":13,"denied_pct":42.4,"remanded_pct":41.3},{"year":2023,"issues":110,"granted_pct":14.5,"denied_pct":42.7,"remanded_pct":42.7},{"year":2024,"issues":115,"granted_pct":14.8,"denied_pct":47,"remanded_pct":33.9},{"year":2025,"issues":84,"granted_pct":15.5,"denied_pct":44,"remanded_pct":39.3},{"year":2026,"issues":31,"granted_pct":32.3,"denied_pct":38.7,"remanded_pct":29}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":76,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":99,"granted_pct_with":41,"granted_pct_without":14},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":568,"granted_pct_with":14.8,"granted_pct_without":28.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":139,"granted_pct_with":51.8,"granted_pct_without":8.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":431,"granted_pct_with":16.2,"granted_pct_without":20.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":271,"granted_pct_with":31.3,"granted_pct_without":10.5},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":42,"granted_pct_with":53.3,"granted_pct_without":15.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":638,"granted_pct_with":11.2,"granted_pct_without":45.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":55,"granted_pct_with":24.4,"granted_pct_without":17.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":15},{"reason":"presumed herbicide exposure due to vietnam service","decisions":2},{"reason":"presumed herbicide exposure during vietnam service","decisions":2},{"reason":"veteran served in vietnam, presumed herbicide exposure","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":38},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":29},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":26},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":24},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":24},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":19}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26038801","year":2026,"judge":"TIFFANY DAWSON","rationale":"AOJ conceded asbestos exposure; Conflicting VA medical opinions regarding cause of cancer; Inadequate VA opinions failed to address squamous cell carcinoma and UV exposure; Restored service connection due to improper severance"},{"case_id":"A26034820","year":2026,"judge":"SHAUN S. SPERANZA","rationale":"Presumptive link to herbicide exposure; Positive nexus from VA examiner; Equitable evidence balance resolved in veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26022987","year":2026,"judge":"H.M. WALKER","rationale":"Approximate balance of evidence; Benefit of the doubt applied; Private opinion found highly probative"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26035197","year":2026,"judge":"S. B. MAYS","rationale":"Evidence persuasively weighs against onset during service or within one year of separation.; VA examiner provided negative opinion linking BCC to service exposures (asbestos, cleaning chemicals).; No indication BCC is associated with service-connected disabilities."},{"case_id":"A26033969","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"No evidence of in-service dental trauma; No compensable dental conditions documented; Dental issues not due to trauma/osteomyelitis"},{"case_id":"A26030264","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"VA dental examination found no dental condition related to service.; Veteran's dental issues did not meet VA criteria for compensation.; Benefit-of-the-doubt rule inapplicable as evidence weighed against the claim."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}