Citation Nr: 21071522 Decision Date: 11/30/21 Archive Date: 11/30/21 DOCKET NO. 17-25 458 DATE: November 30, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for sciatica is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1986 to January 1989. The Veteran served additional time in the Army Reserves until June 1998. The Veteran is seeking service connection for sciatica and chronic fatigue syndrome. These issues were remanded by the Board in October 2019 in order to verify any additional periods of service, including any periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and to obtain records from the Veteran's time in the Reserves. In her November 2014 claim, the Veteran asserted that she entered active service on April 21, 1986, and was released from active service on October 7, 1991. She also submitted a statement in November 2014 from a fellow service member, who asserted that he served with the Veteran in January of 1991. He reported that they were training for mobilization for Operation Desert Storm. In a November 2014 Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the Veteran asserted that she served with the 226 Helicopter Battalion from November 1, 1990, to April 1, 1991. She referenced preparation for mobilization for Operation Desert Storm. Available military personnel records reflect that the Veteran enlisted into the United States Army Reserves on April 21, 1986, for a period of 8 years. The Veteran's DD-214 Form reflects that she served on active duty from August 26, 1986, to January 9, 1989. Records reflect that the Veteran was discharged from the United States Army Reserves on June 17, 1998. Unfortunately, the claims file does not contain service treatment record from the Veteran's Reserves service or information regarding dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. A March 2015 response from the Records Management Center (RMC) reflects that all available requested records were shipped to the contracted scan vendor for upload into the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS). A July 2015 response from the Acting Chief of VA Records Control Center indicated that no further records are located at the RMC. A December 2019 response indicated that no records exist in the RMC system for the Veteran's file. In a March 5, 2020, response from the United States Army Human Resources Command, it was determined that the requested service records were not available at that Command. Leave and Earnings Statements from June 1, 1989, through October 31, 1989, are of record. A July 2020 response to a military pay request indicated that no records prior to June 1989 or after October 1989 for the United States Army Reserves/National Guard files were found. In light of the fact that it appears that some of the Veteran's service records, to particularly include her Reserves records, are not able to be located, the Board finds that the Veteran should be asked to clarify the exact dates of her active duty service, INACDUTRA, and ACDUTRA, as well as any foreign service dates and locations, to the best of her ability. The Veteran should identify the units to which she was assigned for these periods. There is currently no evidence supporting she had any active duty or ACUDTRA in the 1990-91 Gulf War period, but only that she was "training" for potential mobilization as a member of the Reserves. Upon response from the Veteran, a request should be sent to the United States Department of Army, Records Management and Declassification Agency (RMDA) to verify the Veteran's report that the 226 Helicopter Battalion was mobilized during Operation Desert Storm at some point during 1990 and 1991, as well as any other reports from the Veteran regarding foreign service. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Send to the Veteran a letter requesting that she clarify the exact dates of her active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, as well as any foreign service dates and locations, to the best of her ability. The Veteran should identify the units to which she was assigned for these periods. She should submit any documents she has in her position verifying periods of active duty or ACDUTRA while she was a member of the Reserves. 2. Contact RMDA, or other appropriate entity, to verify where and when the 226 Helicopter Battalion was mobilized throughout 1990 and 1991, as well as any other reports from the Veteran of foreign service of a particular unit, with which she contends to have served. 3. Determine whether examinations/opinions are needed. MICHELLE L. KANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board L. Durham, 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.