Citation Nr: 18143772
Decision Date: 10/22/18	Archive Date: 10/22/18

DOCKET NO. 15-04 053A
DATE:	October 22, 2018

REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for Ischemic heart disease (IHD) - coronary artery disease (CAD), to include as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, to include as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from February 1965 to October 1968. The Veteran filed a service connection claim for Ischemic heart disease in September 2012, and hypertension and peripheral neuropathy in November 2012. 
While these claims were pending the Veteran died in September 2013. The appellant is his surviving spouse.
1. Entitlement to service connection for Ischemic heart disease (IHD) - coronary artery disease (CAD), to include as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes is remanded.
2. Entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes is remanded.
3. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, to include as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes is remanded.
4. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes is remanded.
5. Entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded.



The Appellant contends that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Board must additionally consider any other theories of entitlement raised by the record, which would include direct service connection, herbicide agent exposure due to service in another place subject to a presumption, or any other theories. 
There are very limited service records in the claims file. The claims file is missing the Veteran’s service personnel records and service medical records. The Appellant has submitted statements from family members and extensive written materials relevant to the general use of herbicide on Royal Thai Air Force bases during the period of the Veteran’s active duty, in part contending that the Veteran’s occupation as an aircraft structural mechanic would place him near the perimeter which is sufficient to show exposure to some form of herbicide or its residue.  The Appellant also referred to a record showing dates of service in Thailand and a personnel evaluation where a supervisor described and commended the Veteran for his work.  These are not of record.  
Service personnel records would document where the Veteran served (Thailand or elsewhere), in what unit, and details of his occupational duties and are relevant to the Appellant’s claims for accrued benefits and service connection for cause of death potentially based on exposure to certain designated herbicide agents.
The Board is unable to confirm the Veteran’s service details based solely on the awards and decorations listed on his DD Form 214. 
Accordingly, on remand, his military personnel and treatment records should be obtained.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Undertake appropriate action to obtain the Veteran’s service personnel records and service treatment records, including his record of assignments and any documentation of service in Thailand; and associate them with the Veteran’s claims file.
2. In light of any additional evidence added to the record, the AOJ should determine if medical opinions or Joint Services Records Research Center inquiries are necessary pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 5103A.


 
J.W. FRANCIS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	T. Fitzgerald, Associate Counsel