Citation Nr: 18141049
Decision Date: 10/09/18	Archive Date: 10/09/18

DOCKET NO. 09-24 303
DATE:	October 9, 2018
REMANDED
Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and glaucoma (claimed as failing eyesight), is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from June 1964 to June 1966.  He also served in the National Guard and Reserves.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a rating decision issued in August 2008 by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  
In March and November of 2014, and January 2017, the Board remanded the case for due process reasons and for further development, including enhanced search for the Veteran’s active duty military records.   
Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and glaucoma/failing eyesight is remanded.
This issue is remanded to conduct a previously-scheduled VA examination and obtain further service department records.  
VA Examination
After the January 2017 Board remand, the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) apparently undertook, in December 2017, to examine the Veteran with regard to the issue on appeal, with examinations scheduled to take place on January 29, 2018. 
Compensation and Pension records then show that the examinations were “cancelled by MAS” because the Veteran had not been notified.  In internal records dated in March 2018, the AOJ indicated that the examinations would be re-scheduled.  See, e.g., AOJ’s March 19, 2018 Report of General Information.  
Eventually, in a letter dated May 1, 2018, the AOJ asked the Veteran to let VA know within 30 days if he still wanted to be examined.  On May 21, 2018 the Veteran called and stated that he did, and would attend.  See AOJ’s May 21, 2018 Report of General Information.  
Unfortunately, no ensuing action was taken by the AOJ after the May 21, 2018 conversation with the Veteran.  The examination(s) were not re-scheduled, and there is no follow-up correspondence to the Veteran regarding the anticipated examination(s).  
Remand for appropriate action is needed.  See, e.g., Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 311 (2007).   
Service Department Records
Additionally, the Board observes that in his September 2008 notice of disagreement, the Veteran averred that he was attached to a U.S. Air Force Communication Unit that was sent to Vietnam via Continental Airlines sometime between January and March of 1965.  When they arrived at Tan Son Nhut [Saigon] Air Base he stayed at the Terminal for approximately 6 hours waiting to see if all of their personnel were needed for the assignment in Communication.  He was then sent back stateside, the same day, to Fort Lewis Army Base.  
Inasmuch as the Veteran’s active duty records have not been located, and since the case is being returned, a request should be made for the unit history records for HHC 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis Washington; SIXTH ARMY, for the timeframe January 1, 1965 to March 31, 1965.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination as previously initiated in December 2017.
2. Associate, with the claims file, the unit history records for HHC 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis Washington; SIXTH ARMY, dating from January 1, 1965 through March 31, 1965.
 
C. BOSELY
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	P. Childers, Counsel