Citation Nr: 19164131 Decision Date: 08/19/19 Archive Date: 08/19/19 DOCKET NO. 15-41 051A DATE: August 19, 2019 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1951 to July 1973. In February 2019, the Veteran testified under oath before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge at a videoconference hearing. A transcript of the hearing is of record. 1. Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded. 3. Entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to final adjudication of the issues on appeal. Specifically, the Board finds that development is needed regarding the Veteran’s claimed exposure to herbicides in Laos. At the February 2019 videoconference hearing, the Veteran testified that while stationed in Udorn Royal Thai Airforce Base (RTAFB), he was given temporary orders to Laos to install antennae towers. The Veteran’s representative indicated that defoliant was used to clear the area for antennae installation. The Veteran testified that this installation involved digging into the ground. The Board finds that remand is needed to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) to address the Veteran’s contentions of herbicide exposure in Laos. Further, the Board notes that there may be missing military personnel records from the file. After the hearing, the Veteran submitted temporary duty records from his service at Udorn RTAFB that were not previously part of the claim file, thus indicating that there may be relevant military personnel records still outstanding. Therefore, upon remand, the Board asks that additional attempts be made to obtain the Veteran’s service records, particularly any records that show service in Thailand and Laos. In addition, at the hearing, the Veteran’s representative stated that the Veteran had a card that showed his entrances into Laos and indicated that a copy would be made for the record. However, it does not appear that this document was associated with the claim file. Accordingly, upon remand, the Board asks that this record be added to the record. Accordingly, the matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. After securing any necessary consent forms from the Veteran, obtain any military personnel records pertaining to the issues on appeal. In particular, the Board notes that after the February 2019 hearing, the Veteran submitted temporary duty records from his service at Udorn RTAFB that were not previously part of the claim file, thus indicating that there may be relevant military personnel records still outstanding. Therefore, upon remand, the Board asks that additional attempts be made to obtain the Veteran’s service records, particularly any records that show service in Thailand and Laos. Also, at the hearing, the Veteran’s representative stated that the Veteran had a card that showed his entrances into Laos and indicated that a copy would be made for the record. However, it does not appear that this document was associated with the claim file. Accordingly, upon remand, the Board asks that this record be added to the record. All efforts to obtain these records should be documented in the claim file. If any records could not be obtained, this should be noted in the claim file. 2. Upon completion of the above, contact the JSRRC or other appropriate entity to address the Veteran’s contentions of herbicide exposure while on temporary duty assignment in Laos. Specifically, the Veteran has claimed that while stationed at Udorn RTAFB, he was given temporary orders to Laos to install antennae towers. The Veteran’s representative indicated that defoliant was used to clear the area for antennae installation. The Veteran testified that this installation involved digging into the ground. Please address the claimed use of herbicides in Laos for antennae installation and the Veteran’s possible exposure.   3. If upon completion of the above action the issues are denied, the case should be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures. E. I. VELEZ Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board K. Foster, Associate Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § § 20.1303.