Citation Nr: 21016181 Decision Date: 03/22/21 Archive Date: 03/22/21 DOCKET NO. 18-11 636 DATE: March 22, 2021 ORDER Service connection for prostate cancer and residuals of radiation therapy as a result of exposure to herbicides is granted. FINDING OF FACT The evidence of record shows that the Veteran served around the perimeter of the Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base during his military service, presumptively exposing him to herbicide agents, and he has previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for prostate cancer and residuals of radiation therapy as a result of exposure to herbicides have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1116; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.307, 3.309. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from February 1966 to October 1969, to include service at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base from September 1968 to September 1969. The Veteran provided testimony at a Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in March 2021. A transcript of the hearing is not of record currently; however, it will be associated with the Veteran’s file in due course. The Veteran filed a claim for service connection for prostate cancer and residuals of radiation therapy in April 2014. At the same time, he submitted private treatment records showing that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007. Following his diagnosis, he underwent radiation treatment. Service connection may be granted for any disease first diagnosed many years after service, so long as such a disease relates to military service. 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(d). Service connection for prostate cancer may be granted on a presumptive basis due to an exposure to herbicide agents in service. See 38 U.S.C. § 1116(a)(1)(B); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307(a), 3.309(e). For certain military personnel who served during the Vietnam Era, an exposure to herbicide agents in service may be presumed, as a matter of law. See 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6). As a matter of policy, VA has extended the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents for certain Air Force personnel, such as the Veteran in this case, who served around the perimeter of the Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975. Upon considering the evidence of record, to include the Veteran’s military service records, nature of his duties, circumstances of his service, the statements submitted in support of his claim, and his statements made under oath during the March 2021 Board hearing, the Board concedes that the Veteran served around the perimeter of the Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base during his military service in Thailand. By implication, his exposure to herbicide agents is presumed. (Continued on the next page) Accordingly, service connection for prostate cancer and residuals of radiation therapy as a result of exposure to herbicides is granted. MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Lutgens-Staley, 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.