Citation Nr: 18140685
Decision Date: 10/05/18	Archive Date: 10/05/18

DOCKET NO. 13-30 980A
DATE:	 
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for cancer of the throat and tongue is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from January 1962 to November 1965.
This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2010 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Veteran testified at a personal hearing before the Board in June 2018, and a transcript of the hearing is of record.
Entitlement to service connection for cancer of the throat and tongue is remanded.
The Veteran contends that he is entitled to service connection for cancer of the throat and tongue.  Specifically, the Veteran testified at a personal hearing before the Board held in June 2018 that he had a current diagnosis of cancer of the throat and tongue that he believes was due to exposure to herbicide agents as well as exposure to other toxins.  A March 29, 2010, VA treatment record indicates that the Veteran was diagnosed with tongue cancer (poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma) on January 30, 2008, at Baptist Hospital in Miami, Florida.  A November 4, 2009 VA treatment record indicates that in December 2007, the Veteran was diagnosed with throat cancer, base of tongue.  The Veteran’s military personnel records indicate that the Veteran was assigned to Korat Air Base, Thailand, an area associated with exposure to herbicide agents.  Additionally, the Veteran submitted medical literature indicating that servicemen were exposed to toxins in Okinawa, Japan, and the Veteran’s military personnel records indicate that the Veteran was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  This is sufficient to trigger VA’s duty to assist, and this matter must be remanded for a VA examination.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain copies of all outstanding treatment records pertaining to the Veteran’s medical care for cancer of the throat and tongue, to include records beginning in January 2008 from Baptist Hospital, Miami, Florida.
2. Following completion of the above, arrange to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in order to address the following:
(a.) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s diagnosed cancer could be characterized as a respiratory cancer (cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea)?  Why or why not?
(b.) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that a medical nexus exists between a current diagnosis of cancer of the throat and tongue and an in-service incurrence to include 
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exposure to herbicide agents or other toxins?  Why or why not?
 
BARBARA B. COPELAND
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	David R. Seaton, Associate Counsel