Citation Nr: 21076012 Decision Date: 12/22/21 Archive Date: 12/22/21 DOCKET NO. 17-67 165 DATE: December 22, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a back disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a left foot disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is remanded. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a left leg disability is remanded. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a right leg disability is remanded. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a left hip/waist disability is remanded. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a right hip/waist disability is remanded. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a right foot disability is remanded. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for external otitis is remanded. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service from March 1973 to December 1973. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2015 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). With regard to the issues currently on appeal, the Board finds that further development is necessary before the Board can properly adjudicate the claims. Specifically, the Board notes that there appears to be outstanding service treatment records (STRs) and military personnel records that should be associated with the Veteran's claims file. In this regard, the Board notes that of record is the Veteran's DD-214 which shows active duty service from March 1973 to December 1973. However, in a February 1978 Application for Compensation, the Veteran reported entering service in January 1970. Notably, a January 1977 rating decision shows that the Veteran had total active duty of one year, one month, and eight days, but that the additional service was not verified. Furthermore, STRs of record also include treatment dates from 1971 and 1972, and a military personnel record appears to show the Veteran had 120 days of active duty for training in 1973. Based on these findings, the Board finds that remand is warranted to verify the Veteran's periods of service, to include active duty, active duty for training (ACDUTRA), and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). In addition, the RO should obtain any outstanding STRs, and military personnel records associated with all of the Veteran's periods of service. The Board notes that in the Veteran's November 2015 Notice of Disagreement, he reported that his records were destroyed in a fire. To that end, the RO should properly document the file if it is determined that the Veteran's records are unavailable. In addition to the above, the Board notes that mail sent to the Veteran was returned in November 2021. Therefore, the RO must verify the Veteran's address while on remand. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and associate them with the claims folder. 2. Obtain any outstanding private treatment records related to the claims currently on appeal. The Veteran's assistance should be requested as needed. All obtained records should be associated with the evidentiary record. If the RO cannot obtain records identified by the Veteran, a notation to that effect should be inserted in the file. The Veteran is to be notified of unsuccessful efforts in this regard, in order to allow him the opportunity to obtain and submit those records for VA review. 3. Take appropriate steps to verify the Veteran's current mailing address, to include contacting his representative or any other appropriate entity. 4. Verify the Veteran's periods of service, to include active duty, ACDUTRA, and/or INACDUTRA, if applicable. Thereafter, contact the appropriate source to obtain all outstanding service personnel and treatment records for the Veteran's periods of service. All attempts to procure such records must be documented in the file. If no records are available, a negative response must be included in the record. 5. After the above development has been completed, further develop the claims to the extent necessary, to include providing VA examinations if warranted. GAYLE STROMMEN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board K. Laffitte, 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.