Citation Nr: 18145779
Decision Date: 10/30/18	Archive Date: 10/30/18

DOCKET NO. 16-40 787
DATE:	October 30, 2018
REMANDED
1. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia, major depression, and psychosis, is remanded.
2. Entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress (PTSD) disorder is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
After review of the record, the Board finds that a remand is required to obtain outstanding VA treatment records.
The Veteran is seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for schizophrenia, and has filed a new claim of service connection for PTSD.  In doing so, the Veteran submitted a release in July 2014 and a statement in September 2014, identifying several hospitals, including VA, for which he received treatment for these conditions.  While the RO has obtained and/or attempted to obtain these records, there is no indication that the Veteran’s updated VA treatment records have been retrieved.  
The evidence shows that when filing his claim, the Veteran noted that he is being treated at the St. Cloud VAMC.  He reiterated this statement verbally with the RO as evidenced in a September 2014 Report of General Information.  Accordingly, the Board is on notice that outstanding treatment records exist related to this claim.  On remand they should be obtained and associated with the claims file.  38 C.F.R. § 3.159 (c)(2).
With regard to the Veteran’s PTSD claim, the Board notes that the RO sent the Veteran VA Form 21-0781 to identify any in-service stressors related to his PTSD.  However, the Veteran’s response was illogical and unresponsive.  Given the extensive psychiatric history of record, and past evaluations which suggest the Veteran may be mentally challenged, the Board finds an examination is necessary to assist the Veteran in developing his claim of service connection for PTSD.  
Accordingly, the matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain and associate with the claims file all outstanding VA treatment records.  All efforts to obtain these records must be documented in the Veteran’s claim file.  
2. Afford the Veteran a VA examination to address his claim of service connection for PTSD.  
3. Following review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner should indicate whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and if so, fully explain how the diagnostic criteria are met, to include identifying the stressors upon which the diagnosis is based, and commenting upon the link, if any, between the stressor(s) and the Veteran’s symptoms.
A complete rationale should be provided for any opinion or conclusion expressed.
4. Upon completion of the above, and any additional development that is deemed necessary, readjudicate the issues on appeal.  If the benefits sought on appeal remain denied, the Veteran should be furnished an appropriate supplemental statement of the case and provided an opportunity to respond.

 
GAYLE E. STROMMEN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	K. Laffitte, Associate Counsel