Citation Nr: 18140208
Decision Date: 10/02/18	Archive Date: 10/02/18

DOCKET NO. 14-41 171
DATE:	October 2, 2018
REMANDED
Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for depression, claimed as a mental disorder, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from August 2005 through May 2006.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2014 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
In August 2015, the Veteran testified at a hearing before a decision review officer (DRO).  A copy of the transcript is associated with the evidentiary record.
The Veteran contends that he is entitled to service connection for depression.  He contends that his depression began upon learning of the stillborn birth of his child while he was in service.  He reports that he felt guilty for being in the military, away from his girlfriend during her pregnancy, and believed that his absence resulted in the death of his child, which triggered his depression.  See August 2015 Hearing Testimony.
At his DRO hearing, the Veteran testified that he receives social security benefits.  See August 2015 Hearing Testimony.  The record contains letters from the Social Security Administration confirming that the Veteran was approved for social security disability benefits beginning April 2006.  See December 2013 SSA/SSI letter.  However, the record does not contain a copy of the Veteran’s social security disability file.  There is no evidence that the Veteran’s social security records were ever requested.  VA has a duty to obtain all relevant federal records.  Accordingly, this matter must be remanded to obtain all outstanding records. 
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain all VA treatment records dated from May 2006 to the present.
2. Obtain all records from the Social Security Administration. 
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3. After the above development has been completed, readjudicate the claim.  If a benefit sought remains denied, provide the Veteran and his representative with a supplemental statement of the case and return the case to the Board.
 
S. HENEKS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Wimbish, Associate Counsel