Citation Nr: 18159133 Decision Date: 12/18/18 Archive Date: 12/18/18 DOCKET NO. 16-61 997 DATE: December 18, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for asbestosis, claimed as due to exposure to asbestos, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for Type II, diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is remanded. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. REFERRED The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was raised in a January 2016 correspondence and is referred to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for adjudication. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from November 1967 to October 1971. In December 2016, the Veteran withdrew his previous request for a Board hearing. The Board finds that a remand is necessary for further development, to include obtaining identified Social Security Administration (SSA) records and to further develop the Veteran’s service connection claims. In a January 2016 correspondence, the Veteran stated that the attached letter was proof that he received social security disability benefits due to his inability to work. Although he did not specify what disabilities resulted in his inability to work, the Board finds that these records might contain potentially relevant evidence not already associated with the claims file. The record does not reflect an attempt by VA to secure copies of the SSA determination pertaining to the claimant or the medical records considered in conjunction with that determination. The Board notes that VA has a duty to obtain SSA records when it has actual notice that the Veteran is receiving SSA benefits that are potentially relevant. Murincsak v. Derwinski, 2 Vet. App. 363 (1992). Regarding the Veteran’s service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, although his military specialty occupation while in Thailand was not one of those where presumed exposure to herbicide agents is warranted, the Veteran specifically described that he assisted moving barrels containing Agent Orange during his service in Thailand. As such, additional attempts to verify any potential exposure should be made. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and request copies of SSA’s determination on the Veteran’s claim for SSA disability benefits, as well as copies of the complete medical records considered in that determination. A copy of any response from SSA, including any records obtained and/or a negative reply, should be included in the claims file. 2. Contact all appropriate records repositories to determine whether there are any records of the presence of barrels containing Agent Orange on the Veteran’s base at the time of the Veteran’s service in Thailand from 1970 to 1971. See December 2015 Statement in Support of Claim. If any requested records are not available, or the search for any such records otherwise yields negative results, that fact must clearly be documented in the claims file. Thomas H. O'Shay Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD A. Yaffe, Associate Counsel