Citation Nr: 21073184 Decision Date: 12/07/21 Archive Date: 12/07/21 DOCKET NO. 16-20 627 DATE: December 7, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from June 1966 to May 1970. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2015 rating decision that was previously before the Board in October 2018. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is remanded. The Veteran contends he has diabetes mellitus that is related to active-duty service in the Republic of Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam era. Currently, the record does not establish active-duty service in the Republic of Vietnam. In this regard, the Veteran's DD-214 form shows foreign service for approximately 12 months and that he received a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. A citation to accompany the award for an Air Force Commendation Medal notes meritorious service in Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base from May 1969 to May 1970. No other foreign service is noted. The Board observes a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Military Affairs Vietnam Conflict Veterans' Compensation Bureau sheet shows the Veteran reported Vietnam service from May 1969 to May 1970; however, this does not show service in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era. However, the available service personnel records show active-duty service at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam era. In its prior remand, the Board requested the further development to ascertain whether the Veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent during service. Specifically, the Board directed RO to contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) or other appropriate records repository to request the Veteran's military pay records from May 1969 to May 1970, and if any records were unavailable, to notify the Veteran pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(e). While the record reflects the RO contacted DFAS for pay records, it appears those records have not been obtained and uploaded to the Veteran's electronic claims file. In November 2019, DFAS reported the Veteran's financial pay records were in different locations, which takes extensive research and time to obtain and to allow from 30 to 120 days to process the request. It appears no pay records were obtained after the November 2019 response from DFAS. As a result, a remand is required to obtain these records or to notify the Veteran of any negative response. Finally, VA examination is needed to ascertain whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Private treatment records note diabetes mellitus without complete type II. Since there is no specific diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II in any of the medical records currently on file, a VA compensation examination and opinion are needed to assist in deciding this claim. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and any outstanding private medical records identified by the Veteran as pertinent to his claim. 2. Follow up with DFAS regarding their November 2019 response regarding the RO's request to obtain the Veteran's military pay records from May 1969 to May 1970. Any records obtained should be uploaded to the Veteran's claims file. If any records are unavailable, notify the Veteran pursuant to 38C.F.R.§3.159(e). 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination for diabetes mellitus. The examiner is to indicate whether the Veteran has had a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus at any time during the pendency of the appeal. If so, the examiner is to opine as to whether such is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service. Joshua Castillo Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Buck Denton 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.