Citation Nr: 20031209 Decision Date: 05/04/20 Archive Date: 05/04/20 DOCKET NO. 15-20 806 DATE: May 4, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded. Entitlement to accrued benefits as a substitute claimant is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service from March 1968 to March 1972. He died in March 2011. The appellant is the Veteran’s widow, who has been substituted in the appeal for accrued benefits. In November 2018, the appellant testified at a hearing in Washington, D.C. before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of the hearing has been reviewed. 1. Entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded. 2. Entitlement to accrued benefits as a substitute claimant is remanded. VA medical records reflect that the Veteran was diagnosed with sinonasal, non-intestinal type adenocarcinoma. The appellant contends that the Veteran’s sinonasal adenocarcinoma was related to Agent Orange exposure in service. A VA medical opinion has not yet been obtained. A remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran’s sinonasal adenocarcinoma. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain a VA medical opinion which addresses the cause of the Veteran's death with respect to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's sinonasal adenocarcinoma was related to his presumed Agent Orange/herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's sinonasal adenocarcinoma was related to his exposure to herbicides in service. The examiner is advised that the absence of sinonasal adenocarcinoma from the list of conditions which are presumed to be the result of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is not, by itself, a sufficient explanation for a negative opinion. If the examiner is unable to provide an opinion without resort to speculation, he or she should explain whether the inability is due to the limits of the examiner's medical knowledge, medical knowledge in general or there is evidence that, if obtained, would permit the opinion to be provided. JENNIFER HWA Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Catherine Cykowski The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.