Citation Nr: 21029349 Decision Date: 05/13/21 Archive Date: 05/13/21 DOCKET NO. 19-36 731 DATE: May 13, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) with myocardial infarction is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for T-cell lymphoma is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for diverticulosis is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for skin disability to include sebaceous hyperplasia, actinic keratosis, rosacea and seborrheic keratosis is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from January 1962 to January 1965, to include service in Okinawa. The Veteran's claims were previously remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) in February 2020. 1. Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection CAD with myocardial infarction is remanded. 3. Entitlement to service connection for T-cell lymphoma is remanded. 4. Entitlement to service connection for diverticulosis is remanded. 5. Entitlement to service connection for skin disability to include sebaceous hyperplasia, actinic keratosis, rosacea and seborrheic keratosis is remanded. The Veteran contends that his diabetes, CAD, lymphoma, diverticulosis, and skin disabilities are due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Okinawa. In the February 2020 remand, the Board directed that, based upon the Veteran's reports and the October 2017 lay statement provided by JSA, the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) be contacted to attempt to verify the Veteran's contended exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Okinawa during his active duty service. It was requested that the JSRRC specifically comment on the allegations that Agent Orange was used to clear vegetation and that there were barrels of herbicide in Naha. The JSRRC responded in March 2021 that a search was conducted to attempt to verify the Veteran's reports. The JSRRC stated records from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Naha, Okinawa from January 26th, 1962 through January 31st, 1962 was conducted. It was reported that the custodian of Army unit records for 1962 and 1963. National Archives and Records Administration was unable to locate records for the unit and dates the Veteran provided. The Board notes that the Veteran's personnel records indicate that the Veteran did not arrive in Okinawa until July 20, 1963 and departed in January 1965. As the JSSRC's response did not address the period that the Veteran served in Japan, the Board finds that additional development must be conducted prior to adjudication of the Veteran's claims. 6. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. 7. Entitlement to service connection for ED is remanded. As the Veteran is claiming that his ED and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are secondary to his diabetes, these claims are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim being remanded above. See Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 180 (1991). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Undertake any appropriate development to verify the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Okinawa, between July 20, 1963 and January 10, 1965. Any response should specifically comment on the allegations that herbicide agents were used to clear vegetation and that there were barrels of herbicide in Naha Air Force Base. K. Parakkal Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board P.M. Johnson, 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.