Citation Nr: 21014086
Decision Date: 03/11/21	Archive Date: 03/11/21

DOCKET NO. 16-58 352
DATE:  March 11, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from October 1968 to October 1972. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2016 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In January 2021, the Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge at a Board hearing. A transcript is associated with the claims file.

Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer is remanded.

The Veteran asserts that he was exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls and other chemicals while serving at the U.S. Navy Northeast Cape St. Lawrence Island Air Force station (“Northeast Cape”) in Alaska for six months between 1969 and 1970. The Veteran contends that he was exposed by drinking and otherwise utilizing the contaminated water, and that this exposure caused his prostate cancer. The Board notes that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated the Northeast Cape as a Superfund Site. Therefore, the Board finds that additional research and development is warranted to determine the Veteran’s exposure to PCBs and radiation while stationed at the Northeast Cape.

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. Conduct the appropriate development to confirm the Veteran’s dates of service at the U.S. Navy Northeast Cape, St. Lawrence Island Air Force station and ensure all available military records are obtained and associated with the claims folder. All efforts to obtain military records should be fully documented.

2. Thereafter, conduct the appropriate development to verify the presence or use of PCBs or radiation at the U.S. Navy Northeast Cape, St. Lawrence Island Air Force station for the dates in which the Veteran was stationed at that base, to include contacting the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, and any other appropriate government agency for verification.

3. Then, conduct any additional development that may be warranted as a consequence of the actions taken in the preceding paragraphs, and then readjudicate the appeal. If the decision is adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response. Then return the appeal to the Board.

 

 

Kristin Haddock

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Roya Bahrami, 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.