Citation Nr: 18145577
Decision Date: 10/29/18	Archive Date: 10/29/18

DOCKET NO. 16-37 748
DATE:	October 29, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depression and secondary alcohol abuse is remanded.
Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from September 1987 to April 1992.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2014 rating decision issued by RO. 
This appeal was processed using the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) paperless claims processing system.
1. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depression and secondary alcohol abuse is remanded.
Remand is required to afford the Veteran VA examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected PTSD with depression and secondary alcohol abuse. 
2. Entitlement to a TDIU rating is remanded.
The claim for a TDIU rating is inextricably intertwined with the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for the PTSD and the Board will defer the issue until the requested development below has been completed. 
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate the current severity and manifestations of his PTSD with depression and secondary alcohol abuse. The entire claims file should be made available to, and be reviewed by, the VA psychologist or psychiatrist. All appropriate tests, studies, and consultation should be accomplished and all clinical findings should be reported in detail with a full description of the Veteran’s PTSD with depression and secondary alcohol abuse, including the level of social and occupational impairment attributable to the Veteran’s PTSD with depression and secondary alcohol abuse.
If the psychologist or psychiatrist is unable to render the requested opinion without resort to speculation, he or she must so state. However, a complete explanation for such a finding must be provided. 
The examiner’s attention is drawn to the following:
*VA examination report of March 2014 documents that the Veteran’s PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress or symptoms controlled by medication. Documented symptoms of the Veteran’s PTSD included depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment and disturbances of motivation and mood. The psychiatrist commented that the Veteran’s PTSD did not affect his ability to hold gainful employment under minimal stress and supervision.
*August 2015 VA treatment record documents the Veteran’s report of worsening depression and anxiety symptoms. The Veteran reported that his wife recently left him and he was having frequent panic attacks since that time. He complained that he experienced flashbacks and nightmares. He reported that he had suicidal thoughts a few months earlier but had no current thoughts of suicide. He reported that he drank 6 to 12 beers per day.
*August 2016 private treatment record reflects that the Veteran received treatment for suicidal ideations. 
(Continued on the next page)
 
THE EXAMINER IS ADVISED THAT BY LAW, THE MERE STATEMENT THAT THE CLAIMS FOLDER WAS REVIEWED AND/OR THE EXAMINER HAS EXPERTISE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO FIND THAT THE EXAMINATION IS SUFFICIENT.
 
Vito A. Clementi
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	G. Jackson, Counsel