Citation Nr: 21025840 Decision Date: 04/29/21 Archive Date: 04/29/21 DOCKET NO. 16-12 713 DATE: April 29, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for the cause of death, to include as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, is denied. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The Veteran died in November 1996. The established cause of death was metastatic pancreatic cancer. 2. Pancreatic cancer was not shown in service or within 1 year following separation from service. There were no service connected disorders at the time of death. 3. Exposure to ionizing radiation has not been established by the evidence of record. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for the case of the Veteran’s death have not been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1101, 1110, 1112, 1113, 1131, 1137, 1310; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.307, 3.309, 3.312. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served in the Air Force from March 1957 to March 1961. The appellant is the Veteran’s surviving spouse. The Veteran's death certificate disclosed he died from metastatic pancreatic cancer in November 1996. The Veteran was not service connected for that disorder or for any disabilities at the time of his death. In February 2020, the appellant submitted a VA 21-4138 to withdraw from the Board hearing scheduled for March 2020. Service connection for cause of death. In order to establish service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, the evidence must show that a disability incurred in or aggravated by active service was the principal or contributory cause of death. 38 U.S.C. § 1310; 38 C.F.R. § 3.312(a). In order to constitute the principal cause of death, the service-connected disability must be one of the immediate or underlying causes of death or be etiologically related to the cause of death. 38 C.F.R. § 3.312(b). In the case of contributory cause of death, it must be shown that a service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to cause death. 38 C.F.R. § 3.312(c)(1). Service connection may be granted for a disability resulting from a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). Certain chronic diseases, including cancer, may be service connected on a presumptive basis if manifested to a compensable degree in a specified period after service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1112, 1113; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307, 3.309. That period is usually one year. 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(3). For the showing of chronic disease in service there is required a combination of manifestations sufficient to identify the disease entity and sufficient observation to establish chronicity at the time. 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b). Review of the record reveals that the Veteran’s service treatment and personnel records were lost in the 1973 accidental fire at the National Personnel Records Center. There were no records that could be reconstructed. The RO requested that the appellant supplement the incomplete information received on the NA Form 13055, in order for them to conduct an additional search for service treatment records (STRs). No further information was provided. The attempt to obtain terminal records for the Veteran was unsuccessful, apparently due to the passage of time. The appellant was not living with the Veteran as the terminal events happened, explaining that he was in another state beginning work and establishing a new residence, to which the family would move. It appears that the pancreatic cancer developed at this time resulting in hospice care prior to death. The appellant initially alleged that the pancreatic cancer was due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Development resulted in findings that the Veteran had never been in Vietnam. It was subsequently contended that the cancer was due to ionizing radiation exposure in his capacity as an aircraft electrician repairman. His service personnel records confirm this was his specialty. Development was undertaken and there was no evidence found that the Veteran had an radiation exposure during service. No radiation badge was located, and there were no other findings that would indicate such exposure in service. Review of the entire record, therefore, provides no reasonable basis to allow the claim. There is no evidence that the Veteran’s pancreatic cancer began during service or within one year of discharge or that his condition was a result of exposure to radiation.   The Board has considered the doctrine of reasonable doubt, but here there is no evidence to support the claim, and as such the doctrine is not for application. 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. MICHAEL D. LYON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Omosegbon, Babalakin O. 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.