Citation Nr: 20008401 Decision Date: 01/31/20 Archive Date: 01/31/20 DOCKET NO. 14-40 034 DATE: January 31, 2020 REMANDED Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded. Service connection for right leg neuropathy is remanded. Service connection for left leg neuropathy is remanded. Service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from October 1964 to October 1967. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2014 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran testified at a video conference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in June 2016. A transcript of the hearing is associated with the claims file. The Board adjudicated this appeal in a March 2018 decision. The Veteran appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). In June 2019 the Court granted a joint motion for remand (JMR) of the Veteran and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (the Parties), vacated the March 2018 Board decision that and remanded the claim to the Board for action consistent with the terms of the JMR. 1. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded. 2. Service connection for right leg neuropathy is remanded. 3. Service connection for left leg neuropathy is remanded. 4. Service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease is remanded. The Veteran contends that he was exposed to herbicide agents during service aboard the U.S.S. Pratt in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam. The record shows that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal for service aboard the U.S.S. Pratt from August 7, 1967, to September 18, 1967. The Veteran has also submitting a document indicating that the U.S.S. Pratt was in or near Da Nang Harbor on August 8, 1967 and sent a whaleboat ashore for a mission briefing on that day. The origin of this document is not clear, so it is not definitive proof of service in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam but is useful in focusing VA’s search. More information is needed before the Board can make a fully informed decision. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Attempt to verify the Veteran’s asserted in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Specifically, determine whether the U.S.S. Pratt was in Da Nang Harbor or otherwise within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam from August 1967 to September 1967. If more details are needed, contact the Veteran to request the information. If there is still insufficient information to verify exposure to herbicide agents, issue a Formal Finding outlining the steps taken to assist the Veteran and notify the Veteran of VA’s inability to verify the in-service herbicide agent exposure. 2. Finally, after any additional development deemed necessary, readjudicate the claim on appeal. If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, then furnish the Veteran and his attorney with a supplemental statement of the case and allow them an opportunity to respond. JAMES G. REINHART Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board B. Houbeck 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.