Citation Nr: 18145519
Decision Date: 10/29/18	Archive Date: 10/29/18

DOCKET NO. 16-31 155
DATE:	October 29, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from October 2002 to October 2003, December 2005 to June 2007, and June 2009 to July 2010. This case is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of an August 2013 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rating decision. [Notably, the Veteran has established (an August 2013 rating decision granted) service connection for anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), which is rated under the same criteria as PTSD. If PTSD is determined to be service connected, it would be rated together with anxiety disorder and would not be assigned a separate rating. He is nonetheless entitled to establish service connection for PTSD.]
The Veteran asserts he has PTSD related to incidents during his service in Iraq and Afghanistan, to include his role as a forward interrogator in Iraq and Afghanistan and exposure to frequent rocket and missile attacks in Iraq.
Service connection for PTSD requires medical evidence diagnosing the condition in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 4.125(a), that is, a diagnosis that conforms to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5); a link established by medical evidence, between current symptoms and a stressor in service; and credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor in service occurred. 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).
On April 2013 VA PTSD examination, the examiner noted that the Veteran described symptoms that are associated with PTSD but do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for such diagnosis and, therefore, did not have a diagnosis of PTSD that met DSM-IV criteria. The examiner diagnosed anxiety disorder NOS to account for the few PTSD symptoms the Veteran described and manifested. The examiner opined the anxiety disorder is related to the Veteran’s role as a forward interrogator and rocket attacks during service. However, the April 2013 examination was conducted in accordance with DSM-IV, rather than the updated DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. 2013), which applies to this case. Notably, the examiner did not identify the criteria necessary for a diagnosis of PTSD found lacking. 
Given these deficiencies, another examination is needed. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007).   
The matter is REMANDED for the following:
Arrange for the Veteran to be examined by an VA psychologist or psychiatrist to determine whether he has a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-V. In examination of the Veteran and review of his record, the examiner should respond to the following:




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Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5? If not, identify the criteria necessary for such diagnosis found lacking?
 
GEORGE R. SENYK
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Naumovich, Law Clerk