Citation Nr: 18146153
Decision Date: 10/30/18	Archive Date: 10/30/18

DOCKET NO. 16-29 749
DATE:	October 30, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, to include secondary to exposure to an herbicide is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from October 1968 to October 1971. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a February 2014 rating decision.
Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, to include secondary to exposure to an herbicide is remanded.
The Veteran has a current diagnosis of prostate cancer. The Veteran contends that he was exposed to herbicide agents at Fort Gordon in Georgia. Specifically, the Veteran contends that Agent Orange was used at Fort Gordon around the lakes and ponds. The Veteran asserted that he had basic training at Fort Gordon. Service personnel indicate that the Veteran served at Fort Gordon. More information is needed before the Board can make a fully informed decision. Therefore, upon remand the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) must attempt to verify the Veteran’s asserted exposure to an herbicide at Fort Gordon. 
The Board notes that the AOJ requested from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) any documents showing exposure to herbicides. NPRC responded that there were no records of exposure to herbicides. However, the Board finds that a negative response from NPRC is not a formal finding concerning the Veteran’s specific claim of herbicide exposure at Fort Gordon. Thus, the AOJ must take steps to verify the Veteran’s claim, and if needed refer the matter to the Joint Services Resource Research Center (JSRRC).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Attempt to verify the Veteran’s asserted in-service exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Gordon. If more details are needed, contact the Veteran to request the information. If there is still insufficient information to verify exposure to herbicide agents, issue a Formal Finding outlining the steps taken to assist the Veteran and notify the Veteran of VA's inability to verify the in-service herbicide agent exposure.

 
S. L. Kennedy
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Robert Batten, Associate Counsel