Citation Nr: 21022520 Decision Date: 04/16/21 Archive Date: 04/16/21 DOCKET NO. 20-04 039 DATE: April 16, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for multiple myeloma is granted. FINDING OF FACT 1. Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran’s favor, the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving at the U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. 2. The Veteran’s multiple myeloma is presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide agent exposure. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for entitlement to service connection for multiple myeloma have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1116, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303 3.307, 3.309. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty from March 1968 to November 1971. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from an October 2018 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In March 2021, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of that hearing is of record. This appeal has been advanced on the Board’s docket pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 7107(a)(2); 38 C.F.R. § 20.902(c). 1. Entitlement to service connection for multiple myeloma The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple myeloma, which he asserts is due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Thailand at U-Tapao RTAFB and in the Republic of Vietnam. During the March 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that he worked on the flight line and was responsible for loading weapons onto airplanes. The Veteran also testified that his duties required him to meet planes on the taxiway, which was on the perimeter of the base. Service connection may be established for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service. 38 U.S.C. § 1110; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. Service connection may be established on a presumptive basis for certain specified diseases, including multiple myeloma, if the Veteran served during specified time periods, was exposed to an herbicide agent, and the disease manifested to a degree of ten percent or more any time after service. 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307(a)(6), 3.309(e). For purposes of establishing service connection for a disability resulting from exposure to herbicide agents, a veteran who had active service in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam Era, beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, will be presumed to have been exposed to an herbicide agent during that service, unless there is affirmative evidence to establish that the veteran was not exposed to any such agent during that service. 38 U.S.C. § 1116(f); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307(a), 3.309(e). In addition to exposure within the Republic of Vietnam, exposure to herbicides has been noted to have occurred in various places, including Thailand. VA has determined that U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force Bases (RTAFBs), including U-Tapao, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides. However, a veteran must have served as a security policeman, security patrol dog handler, member of a security police squadron, or otherwise served near the air base perimeter, as shown by military occupational specialty, performance evaluation, or other credible evidence. Upon review of the record, the Board acknowledges that the Veteran has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Thus, the first criterion for establishing service connection has been met. The Veteran’s service personnel records confirm that he served in Thailand at the U-Tapao RTAFB from November 1970 to November 1971. During this time, his military occupational specialty was munitions team loading member. His contentions as to his duties are consistent with his occupational specialty in Thailand. Moreover, the Board finds his contentions concerning service along the perimeter of the RTAFB to be sufficiently credible and consistent with the particular circumstances of his service. Therefore, after resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran’s favor, the Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service. Accordingly, his multiple myeloma is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure and service connection is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. K. A. BANFIELD Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Lance, 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.