Citation Nr: 21066455
Decision Date: 11/01/21	Archive Date: 11/01/21

DOCKET NO. 18-37 735
DATE: November 1, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for pancreatic cancer is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from May 1965 to September 1985.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) from a December 2017 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). 

The Veteran testified at an October 2021 Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). This case is being processed under the Board's "One Touch" program to expedite resolution of the appeal, and a transcript from the hearing will be associated with the file at a later date.

The Veteran contends that his pancreatic cancer was caused by in-service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), which he reports is due to his military occupational specialties (MOSs) in telecommunications equipment repair. See July 2018 VA Form 9. The Board notes that across his 20-year Air Force career, the Veteran held the following MOSs: 36350 Communication & Relay Center Equipment Repairman; 36370 Communication & Relay Center Equipment Maintenance Supervisor; W30672 Automated Functional Applications Analyst, Telecommunications System/Equipment Maintenance Supervisor. He has submitted several articles related to TCE, which include discussion of TCE exposure based on certain MOSs (such as communications equipment repairmen) and the relationship between TCE and certain cancers. See May 2018 Correspondence; October 2021 Correspondence. 

The record does not reflect any attempt to verify the Veteran's contended in-service exposure to TCE, and he has not been afforded a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his pancreatic cancer. Accordingly, remand is necessary to attempt to verify his claimed exposure and to afford him a VA examination to address this theory of entitlement.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Attempt to verify the Veteran's contended exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) while working in communication and relay equipment maintenance and as an automated functional applications analyst in the Air Force. 

2. DO NOT SCHEDULE THE FOLLOWING until the above development has been completed, to the extent possible. 

3. Refer the Veteran's file for a VA opinion as to the etiology of his pancreatic cancer. After a complete review of the claims file, including the articles submitted by the Veteran regarding TCE, the examiner should respond to the following:

Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's pancreatic cancer began during or is otherwise related to service, to include possible (or conceded, if so determined by the RO) exposure to TCE?

In making this opinion, the examiner must consider and specifically address the articles discussing both TCE as a carcinogenic and a possible relationship of TCE to pancreatic cancer.

All opinions must be accompanied by a rationale consistent with the evidence of record. A discussion of the pertinent evidence, relevant medical treatises, and generally accepted medical principles is required. 

 

 

MICHELLE L. KANE

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	A. Tierno

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.