Citation Nr: 18152796
Decision Date: 11/26/18	Archive Date: 11/26/18

DOCKET NO. 17-08 551
DATE:	November 26, 2018
REMANDED
The issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served in the U.S. Navy from January 1952 to December 1955 and from December 1956 to January 1972.
The Veteran died in 2016. The appellant is his surviving spouse.
The issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Reasons for the remand:
The Veteran’s death certificate indicates that he died at Select Specialty Hospital in Tallahassee, Florida. End of life treatment records are not of record. The death Remand is necessary to obtain the records.
The record indicates that the Veteran began service on the U.S.S. Navasota in November 1970. That ship conducted on-shore and in-port replenishment at several sites in the Republic of Vietnam, including from June to November 1970. Remand is necessary to attempt to determine whether the Veteran went ashore.
2. Advise the appellant that she may submit any additional medical and non-medical evidence relating to her claim that is not already in VA’s possession. Specifically request authorization to obtain:
*The Veteran’s end of life treatment records from Select Specialty Hospital in Tallahassee, Florida.
*Any evidence, including letters, photos, statements from servicemembers who served with the Veteran, etc., that indicate whether he went ashore to the Republic of Vietnam.
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3. Readjudicate the issue on appeal. If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran should be provided a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). An appropriate period should be allowed for response before the case is returned to the Board.
 
Vito A. Clementi
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. E. Miller, Associate Counsel