Citation Nr: 18159916
Decision Date: 12/20/18	Archive Date: 12/20/18

DOCKET NO. 17-02 739
DATE:	December 20, 2018
REMANDED
1.  Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
2.  Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.
3.  Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from August 1968 to August 1975 and from April 1976 to September 1978.  These matters are before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (the Board) on appeal from October 2015 and May 2016 rating decisions.  
1. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.
2. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.
3. Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus.
As noted above, the Veteran had two separate periods of service, the first with the Air Force, and the second with the Army.  It appears that his service treatment records (STRs) from his second period of service are not associated with the record, and there is no indication that an attempt to secure them has been made. As they are considered of record, they must be sought.  
The matters are REMANDED for the following:
1. Obtain for association with the record the STRs from the Veteran's period of Army service from April 1976 to September 1978.  The search for the records must be exhaustive.  If they are not located, the scope of the search should be noted in the record (and the case should be processed under the heightened duty to assist standard that applies when STRs are lost or destroyed).
2. Then arrange for any further development indicated, and readjudicate the claims considered any additional STRs and other evidence received (and VA’s heightened duty to assist -if the records are not located).  
 
GEORGE R. SENYK
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	James R. Siegel, Counsel