Citation Nr: 21015085 Decision Date: 03/16/21 Archive Date: 03/16/21 DOCKET NO. 09-01 893 DATE: March 16, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a pulmonary or respiratory disability. Entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disability is remanded. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND This case was previously before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) and was denied in an August 2018 decision. The Veteran appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). In a March 2019 Order, the Court vacated and remanded the August 2018 decision pursuant to the terms of a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) by the parties. The case was again denied in a July 2019 Board decision. The Veteran appealed the Board decision to the Court. In July 2020, the Court vacated and remanded the July 2019 Board decision pursuant to the terms of a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The July 2020 JMPR directed the Board to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases addressing whether additional development regarding the Veteran’s alleged exposure to herbicides during service is warranted given that the May 2017 JSRRC memorandum addresses unit history, ship command history, and deck logs from prior to the Veteran’s term of service. The Board finds remand is warranted for additional development in light of the July 2020 JMPR. An attempt should be made to verify alleged herbicide exposure during the Veteran’s service on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt for the time period from May 1971 to February 1973, to include a search of relevant unit history, ship command history, and deck logs. Additionally, the Veteran has alleged exposure to lead paint during service onboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. As such, an attempt should be made to verify alleged lead exposure during service onboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Any relevant VA treatment records from November 2020 to present should be obtained and associated with the record. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain the Veteran’s relevant VA treatment records for the period from November 2020 to present. 2. Attempt to verify the Veteran’s asserted in-service exposure to herbicide agents during service on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt from May 1971 to February 1973, to include a search of relevant unit history, ship command history, and deck logs. 3. Attempt to verify potential exposure to lead paint during service on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt from May 1971 to February 1973. Undertake appropriate efforts to determine the probability (minimal, probable, highly probable) that the Veteran’s military occupational specialty (MOS) exposed him to lead paint. Saudiee Brown Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Vang, Stephanie 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.