Citation Nr: 18140359
Decision Date: 10/02/18	Archive Date: 10/02/18

DOCKET NO. 14-28 830
DATE:	October 2, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active duty service from July 1961 to August 1964 and again from February 1965 to February 1968.  He testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at a videoconference hearing in April 2017.  A transcript of the hearing is of record. 
It is worth noting that the Veteran’s attorney has requested several extensions.  A review of the records reveals that all the extension requests were granted and have since expired.  There are no outstanding requests.
Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
The Veteran contends that he has PTSD because of observing another soldier commit suicide during his active duty service in Germany.  Thus far, the RO has not been able to confirm his stressor.  The RO stated “you provided some basic information about the event and we searched the casualty database to verify your stressor.  Our research failed to reveal anyone with the first name that you provided who died due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the time period that you provided.  We did not have enough information to continue researching your stressor.”  However, at his Board hearing, the Veteran provided more potential details regarding his stressor.  In addition, the casualty database utilized by the RO seems to only provide names for people who served in Vietnam.  The Veteran has not contended that he had service in Vietnam.  As such, a remand is required to exhaust all possible avenues to confirm the Veteran’s stressor. 
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Take all appropriate actions to verify through official sources the Veteran’s claimed stressor of observing a fellow soldier commit suicide in the Veteran’s presence in approximately March 1962, while stationed with Company D, 28th Battalion, 24th Infantry Division in Warner Kaserne in Munich.  The 28th Battalion later became the 21st Mechanized Infantry Battalion.
2. If warranted, the AOJ’s efforts to verify these stressors should include: (1) a search from October 1, 1961, through February 11, 1963, of (a) the unit records; (b) the morning reports; and (c) any other relevant records.  If these records disclose sufficient relevant information, a JSRRC search should be conducted. 
All requests and responses must be well-documented in the claims file. 
3. If, and only if, a claimed stressor is sufficiently corroborated, the Veteran should be afforded a VA PTSD examination to determine whether he suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, because of the verified stressor.
A full rationale for all opinions should be included in the report.  

 
H.M. WALKER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Martha R. Luboch, Associate Counsel