Citation Nr: 18140355 Decision Date: 10/02/18 Archive Date: 10/02/18 DOCKET NO. 15-18 910 DATE: October 2, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1971 to March 1973. 1. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. The matter of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was last adjudicated by the AOJ in an April 2015 Statement of the Case (SOC). Since the SOC and after transfer of the file to the Board, pertinent VA treatment records have been associated with the record. This includes July 2018 VA psychiatric examinations. VA sent an August 2018 letter to the Veteran informing him of his right to waive AOJ review of this evidence. The Veteran did not respond to this letter. As a result, the matter must be remanded to the AOJ in order to readjudicate in light of the new and pertinent evidence. 38 C.F.R. §§ 19.37(b), 20.1304(c). In making this determination, the Board notes a September 2018 rating decision denying service connection for persistent depressive disorder. This rating decision did not specifically address the Veteran’s claimed PTSD. However, the Board has determined that the Veteran’s PTSD claim on appeal should be expanded to encompass any potentially acquired psychiatric disorder. Clemmons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009). The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Readjudicate the claim on appeal in light of the pertinent evidence associated with the record subsequent to the April 2015 SOC. If the benefits sought remain denied, furnish to the Veteran and his representative a Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Appellant has the right to submit additional evidence and argument on the matter the Board has remanded. BISWAJIT CHATTERJEE Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD W. R. Stephens, Counsel