Citation Nr: 18157756
Decision Date: 12/13/18	Archive Date: 12/13/18

DOCKET NO. 15-21 437
DATE:	December 13, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) from July 1955 to July 1959 and with the United States Air Force from November 1960 to October 1976.  These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2014 rating decision.  In September 2018, the Veteran testified at a hearing before the undersigned at the RO.
1. Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is remanded.
2. Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is remanded.
The Veteran contends that his claimed disorders are due to in-service herbicide exposure while in the Air Force serving in Thailand.  He has reported that his duties as an Administration Specialist with the 4258 Headquarters Sq placed him at or near the base perimeter of U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield from November 1968 to December 1969.  In written statements of record and during the September 2018 Board hearing, the Veteran asserted that his place of duty (office) was right next to the base perimeter (on the flight line near the tarmac) where herbicides were used to kill vegetation.  He repeatedly indicated that there was no vegetation on the base perimeter or on either side of the airstrip where he worked.  More information is needed before the Board can make a fully informed decision on these matters, as there is no indication any attempts were made to verify the Veteran’s alleged exposure to herbicides on the basis of base perimeter proximity.  
The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:
1.  Contact the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) or other appropriate entity and attempt to verify the Veteran’s asserted in-service exposure to herbicides during daily duties as an Administration Specialist with the 4258 Headquarters Sq at or near the base perimeter of U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield from November 1968 to December 1969.  The JSRRC should be provided with any necessary documentation, including any relevant service records, a transcript of the September 2018 Board hearing, and information provided by the Veteran.  If more details are needed, contact the Veteran to request the information.  If there is still insufficient information to verify exposure to herbicides, issue a Formal Finding outlining the steps taken to assist the Veteran and notify him of VA’s inability to verify the in-service herbicide exposure.
2.  After completing the above action, and any other necessary development, the claims on appeal must be re-adjudicated, taking into consideration all relevant evidence associated with the evidence of record since the May 2015 statement of the case.  If any benefit on appeal remains denied, a supplemental statement of the case must be provided to the Veteran and his representative.  After the Veteran has had an adequate opportunity to respond, the appeal must be returned to the Board for appellate review.
 
MICHAEL MARTIN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. D. Deane, Counsel