92 Decision Citation: BVA 92-06999 Y92 BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20420 DOCKET NO. 91-42 493 ) DATE ) ) ) THE ISSUE Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). REPRESENTATION Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Barry F. Bohan, Associate Counsel INTRODUCTION The appellant served on active duty from October 1968 to August 1971. He served for two years in Vietnam, from August 1969 to August 1971. In September 1990, the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Huntington, West Virginia (VARO) denied the appellant service connection for PTSD. The appellant was notified of this decision by letter from VARO dated September 25, 1990. He filed a notice of disagreement in October 1990, and a statement of the case was issued by VARO in January 1991. The appellant filed an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (the Board) in February 1991. The case was forwarded by VARO to the Board in Washington, D.C., where it was received in September 1991. In January 1992, the appellant's accredited representative, Disabled American Veterans, prepared and submitted an informal hearing presentation to the Board. REMAND The appellant is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which he is evidently claiming to be PTSD. A review of the record in this case reveals that the appellant served in a motor pool in Vietnam as a heavy equipment mechanic. During a VA psychiatric examination in June 1990, he denied being in combat. However, he indicated that he was subject to artillery fire at times during his two years in Vietnam. Post service medical records indicate a long history of alcohol and drug abuse. He has been consistently diagnosed as having a personality disorder, in addition to chronic alcohol abuse. The appellant contends, in substance, that since he served in Vietnam and was subject to artillery fire, he should be granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder. In his notice of disagreement, the appellant asked for another psychiatric examination. He also believes that some of his medical records are missing. In that connection, the Board has noted that the appellant stated to the VA psychiatric examiner that he was hospitalized for "mental and alcohol" problems at the VA facility in Chillicothe, Ohio in 1972, 1976 and 1984. However, the only Chillicothe VA admission presently of record was in May 1979, at which time the appellant was diagnosed with a personality disorder and alcohol abuse. The appellant's representative, in the January 1992 informal hearing presentation, stated that the case should be remanded in order for VARO to identify stressors "as a result of combat in the Republic of Vietnam". The Board is cognizant of the statutory duty placed upon the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist claimants in developing their claims. 38 U.S.C. § 5107(a) (1991) and Akles v. Derwinski, U.S. Vet. App. No. 90-390 (January 11, 1991). Therefore, this case is REMANDED to VARO for the following actions: 1. VARO should contact the VA facility in Chillicothe, Ohio, in order to secure the hospitalization records referred to by the appellant, particularly the hospitalization in 1972, shortly after service, and also in 1976 and 1984. If such treatment records are located these should be associated with the appellant's claims folder. 2. The appellant should be scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine whether he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. His claims folder should be furnished to the examiner prior to the examination so that the examiner may evaluate the appellant's statements in light of his psychiatric history. Appropriate testing should be conducted, if indicated. The report of the examination should be associated with the appellant's claims folder. 3. Upon completion of the above development, a determination must be made as to the need for verification of claimed stressors. If appropriate, such development should be undertaken by obtaining a PTSD questionnaire from the appellant and requesting verification assistance from the United States Army and Joint Services Enviromental Support Group (ESQ). Bldg. 247, stop #387, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia 22060. After the above development has been completed, VARO should readjudicate the appellant's claim. If the claim remains denied, the case should be returned to the Board after compliance with all requisite appellate procedure. The purpose of this REMAND is to procure clarifying data. The Board intimates no opinion as to the ultimate conclusion warranted, pending completion of the requested development. No action is necessary on the appellant's part until he receives further notice. BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20420 BETTINA S. CALLAWAY MATTHEW J. GORMLEY, III KENNETH R. ANDREWS, JR. Under 38 U.S.C. § 7252 (1991), only a decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals is appealable to the United States Court of Veterans Appeals. This remand is in the nature of a preliminary order and does not constitute a decision of the Board on the merits of your appeal.