Citation Nr: 18147283
Decision Date: 11/02/18	Archive Date: 11/02/18

DOCKET NO. 16-32 255
DATE:	November 2, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an increased rating higher than 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
1. Entitlement to an increased rating higher than 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood is remanded.
In a March 2018 statement, the Veteran asserted that his depression was worse since he was last examined by VA.  The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his PTSD with depressed mood.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records for the period from September 2016 to present.
2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood.  The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria.  To the extent possible, the examiner should identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to the PTSD alone and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s PTSD on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living.  If it is not possible to provide an opinion regarding symptoms or functional impairment without speculation, the examiner must state whether the need to speculate is due to a deficiency in the state of general medical knowledge (no one could respond given medical science and the known facts), a deficiency in the record (additional facts are required), or the examiner (does not have the knowledge or training).
 
S. L. Kennedy
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Sarah B. Richmond