Citation Nr: 18149116 Decision Date: 11/08/18 Archive Date: 11/08/18 DOCKET NO. 16-05 708 DATE: November 8, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for skin cancer is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for Alzheimer’s, dementia type is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 1956 to March 1964, to include at Naha Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, in the United States Air Force. The Veteran was scheduled for a videoconference hearing in August 2018 and a statement was submitted, date stamped as being received the day of the hearing, indicating that the Veteran would not be able to testify on his own behalf but that his daughter and son-in-law would attend and testify on his behalf. It is unclear from the record whether the Veteran’s family appeared for the hearing. Therefore, on remand the RO should contact the Veteran and his representative and clarify whether the Veteran intended to cancel his August 2018 videoconference hearing or whether his family members attempted to testify on his behalf. If the Veteran did not intend to cancel his scheduled hearing and the Veteran’s family was prepared to testify on his behalf a new hearing opportunity must be provided 1. Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection for skin cancer is remanded. 3. Entitlement to service connection for Alzheimer’s, dementia type is remanded. The Veteran contends that he was exposed to herbicide agents during service at Naha Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. More information is needed before the Board can make a fully informed decision. The Veteran has submitted extensive documentation regarding Okinawa and the storing and transfering of herbicides. However, the Veteran has not provided a description of any alleged contact or exposure he had during his active duty service on Okinawa. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer or dementia because no VA examiner has opined whether the Veteran’s disabilites are etiologcally related to active duty service, to include any exposure to herbicides. The Veteran has contended that both conditions are etiologically due to herbicide exposure. As noted above the question of the Veteran’s exposure to herbicides is being remanded for further development. The examiner is informed that the determination as to whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides is a decision that will be made by the Board. Therefore, the requested medical opinion should determine whether, assuming the Veteran was exposed to herbicides, his skin cancer or dementia is etiologically related to such exposure. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Contact the Veteran and his representative and determine whether the Veteran intended to cancel/withdraw from his scheduled August 2018 hearing. If not, determine if the Veteran still desires a Board hearing and whether his family members, specifically daughter and son-in-law will testify on his behalf. 2. Attempt to verify the Veteran’s asserted in-service exposure to herbicide agents. If more details are needed, contact the Veteran to request the information, to the extent he may be able. 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. The Veteran and his representatives should be afforded the opportunity to explain the details of his alleged exposure to herbicides on Okinawa. 3. After completion of the above, schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any skin cancer. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. Additionally, the examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not the Veteran’s skin cancers are related to in-service herbicide agent exposure. A complete rationale must be provided for any opinion offered. 4. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any Alzheimer’s/dementia. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. Additionally, the examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not the Veteran’s skin cancers are related to in-service herbicide agent exposure. A complete rationale must be provided for any opinion offered. M.E. Larkin Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD P.S. McLeod