Citation Nr: 21031203 Decision Date: 05/20/21 Archive Date: 05/20/21 DOCKET NO. 17-40 518 DATE: May 20, 2021 REMANDED The issue of service connection for multiple myeloma is remanded. The issue of service connection for bladder cancer is remanded. The issue of service connection for kidney cancer is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service from September 1967 to July 1971. The Veteran died in early 2017, and the Veteran's wife was properly substituted as the appellant in September 2017. The issue of service connection for multiple myeloma is remanded. The issue of service connection for bladder cancer is remanded. The issue of service connection for kidney cancer is remanded. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary, and the matter is REMANDED for the following: 1. BACKGROUND FOR THE RO ADJUDICATOR: The appellant contends that the Veteran's cancers were the result of his exposure to herbicides and other contamination while serving aboard the U.S.S. Ranger during the Vietnam War. During the appellant's March 2021 hearing, she noted that the U.S.S. Ranger (CV-61) was located just outside the 12-mile limit established in the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. 38 U.S.C. § 1116A. The representative noted that, when viewing the ship's location, it appeared to be within a mile of the 12-mile limit. Remand is necessary to confirm the location of the U.S.S. Ranger during the period from October 14, 1970 to July 1, 1971. Additional development should be completed, to include use of the VA ship locator program and obtaining pertinent deck logs, and any other development deemed necessary to determine whether the U.S.S. Ranger was in the official waters of the Republic of Vietnam. THE REMAND DIRECTIVES FOLLOW. 2. Provide the appellant with an opportunity to submit any further competent evidence in support of her contention that the Veteran was exposed to any toxins during his military service, to include his stateside assignment, that may have caused the disorders at issue. 3. Thereafter, and after undertaking any additional development deemed necessary, readjudicate the issues on appeal. If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the appellant and her representative must be provided with a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) and be afforded reasonable opportunity to respond. The case should then be returned to the Board for further appellate review, if otherwise in order. Vito A. Clementi Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board J. Wozniak, 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.