Citation Nr: 21015366 Decision Date: 03/17/21 Archive Date: 03/17/21 DOCKET NO. 14-34 606 DATE: March 17, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to hypertension is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from August 1967 to August 1969. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2014 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Roanoke, Virginia. This matter was previously before the Board in September 2018. 1. Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to hypertension is remanded. The Veteran initially claimed his diabetes mellitus is secondary to Agent Orange exposure in service. Specifically, the Veteran claims he served in Vietnam, where he participated in the construction of infrastructure and was exposed to Agent Orange in connex boxes he delivered to Air Force bases. See correspondence received in November 2014. Pursuant to a September 2018 Board decision, development to ascertain the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange was undertaken. In October 2019, a memorandum was associated with the claims file outlining the AOJ’s efforts to obtain the necessary information so that the matter could be referred to the Joint Services Records Research Center for exposure verification. It was noted that the Veteran’s service records show service in Thailand, but that clarification of duties was needed prior to referring the matter to the JSRRC. In this regard, the Board observes that the Veteran did not respond to the development letter of June 2019. A claimant has responsibility to cooperate in the development of all facts pertinent to his claim and that the duty to assist is not a one-way street. Wood v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 190, 193 (1991). A February 2021 correspondence from the Veteran’s representative, in which a new theory of entitlement to service connection was set forth. Specifically, it is contended that the Veteran’s treatment for service-connected hypertension since 1970, including the use of oral antihypertensive medication known to cause changes in blood sugar was a substantial factor in the development of his diabetes. Furthermore, a study indicating that hypertension is a significant risk factor for diabetes was cited. In light of the new theory presented by the Veteran, the Board finds that remand is necessary. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain and associate with the claims file any outstanding VA and private treatment records pertinent to the Veteran’s diabetes claim. 2. Then, forward the entire claims file to an appropriately qualified examiner for an addendum VA opinion. The examiner must specify that the Veteran’s records have been reviewed. The examiner must opine as to whether it is as least as likely as not (50 percent probability or more) that the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus was caused or aggravated beyond natural progression by his service-connected hypertension disability or medication taken for such disability. The examiner should consider all evidence, including lay statements, medical records, and other medical opinions of record. Any opinions offered should be accompanied by a clear rationale consistent with the evidence of record. Jennifer White Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Department of Veterans Affairs 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.