Citation Nr: 21066076 Decision Date: 10/28/21 Archive Date: 10/28/21 DOCKET NO. 17-44 497 DATE: October 28, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is remanded. Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded. Service connection for skin cancer is remanded. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded. Service connection for thyroid cancer is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from May 1968 to May 1970 in the U.S Army. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) from a February 2015 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Waco, Texas. The Veteran testified at a virtual Board hearing in April 2021. A copy of the hearing transcript is of record. IHD, GERD, Skin Cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, and Thyroid Cancer The Veteran contends that his IHD, GERD, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid cancer are related to exposure to herbicide agents while serving in the Panama Canal Zone. See August 2017 Form 9. The Veteran's military personnel records confirm service in the Panama Canal Zone. However, the record does not show adequate development of the Veteran's claim regarding the alleged exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that remand is necessary to verify whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service. By this remand, the Board makes no determination, express or implied, concerning the credibility of any lay statements on file. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. 2. Undertake appropriate efforts to verify whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in the Panama Canal Zone between September 1968 and May 1970. The Veteran's military personnel records show that he served with CoB 4th Bn (Mech) 20th Inf, Fort Clayton from September 1968 to November 1969 and with CoB 4th Bn (Mech) 20th Inf USARSO from November 1969 to May 1970. The Veteran's MOS was 11C1O and 11C2U. See Military Personnel Record received September 2014. The Veteran stated that he was exposed to Agent Orange in Fort Sherman and other locations in the Southern Command. He also stated that the jungle was sprayed with Agent Orange and he had to lay on the ground and he also handled barrels of Agent Orange. Additionally, the Veteran stated he was in reservation areas which were treated with Agent Orange from 1968 to 1970. See June 2015 NOD. The Veteran also stated that he was temporarily stationed in Fort Sherman and Fort Gulick in the Panama Canal and he worked at the jungle operation training center and handled 55-gallon barrels of herbicide agents daily. Additionally, the Veteran stated that the jungle was sprayed to kill the foliage. See August 2017 Form 9. During the April 2021 Board Hearing, the Veteran testified that he saw drums of Agent Orange. Additionally, the Veteran testified that Agent Orange was tested and stored in the Panama Canal Zone. See April 2021 Hearing Transcript. 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. JOHN Z. JONES Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Kernen, Associate Counsel 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.