Citation Nr: 18142318
Decision Date: 10/16/18	Archive Date: 10/15/18

DOCKET NO. 16-29 095
DATE:	October 16, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial rating greater than 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from March 1967 to March 1969, including in combat in the Republic of Vietnam.
1. Entitlement to an initial rating greater than 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
The Veteran essentially contends that his service-connected PTSD is more disabling than currently (and initially) evaluated.  A review of the record evidence shows that his most recent VA PTSD Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) occurred in October 2015.  The Court has held that when a Veteran alleges that his service-connected disability has worsened since he was examined previously, a new examination may be required to evaluate the current degree of impairment.  See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 403 (1997); but see Palczewski v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 174, 182 (2007) (finding "mere passage of time" does not render old examination inadequate).  The Board notes here that a review of the Veteran’s October 2015 VA PTSD DBQ shows that the VA examiner who completed this examination report did not list any PTSD symptoms experienced by the Veteran at that time.  In any event, given the Veteran's contentions, and given the length of time which has elapsed since his most recent VA examination in October 2015, the Board finds that, on remand, he should be scheduled for an updated VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1.  Schedule the Veteran for appropriate examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD.
2.  Readjudicate the appeal.
 
R. FEINBERG
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Michael T. Osborne, Counsel