Citation Nr: 18147304
Decision Date: 11/02/18	Archive Date: 11/02/18

DOCKET NO. 17-62 752
DATE:	November 2, 2018
REMANDED
Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.
Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from June 1962 to May 1966.
These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from rating decisions issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  
1. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric, to include PTSD, is remanded.
2. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus is remanded.
The evidence indicates there may be outstanding relevant VA treatment records.  Specifically, an August 21, 2018 VA endocrinology note indicates that the Veteran was to return for a follow up appointment in October 2018.  VA treatment records subsequent to September 7, 2018 have not been associated with the claims file.  Additionally, on his January 2018 VA 21-526EZ, the Veteran reported receiving treatment at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center as early as January 1980.  To date, treatment records from that facility prior to January 1982 have not been requested or otherwise obtained.  As any VA treatment records are within VA’s constructive possession, and are considered potentially relevant to the issues on appeal, a remand is required to allow VA to obtain the aforementioned records.
The Veteran was provided a VA diabetes mellitus examination in December 2015.  The examiner indicated that the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus did not require any treatment.  A June 12, 2018 VA endocrinology note indicates that the Veteran was prescribed metformin.  As the evidence indicates that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus may have increased in severity since he was last examined by VA, he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current nature and severity of his diabetes mellitus.
The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:
1. Ask the Veteran to provide the names and addresses of all medical care providers who have recently treated him for his claimed disabilities.  After securing any necessary releases, the AOJ should request any relevant records identified.  In addition, obtain updated VA treatment records dated since September 7, 2018 and all outstanding VA treatment records from the Fayetteville VA Medical Center dated prior to January 1982.  If any requested records are unavailable, the Veteran should be notified of such. 
2. After records development is completed to the extent possible, schedule the Veteran for a VA diabetes mellitus examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes mellitus.  The claims file should be reviewed by the examiner.  All necessary tests should be performed and the results reported.  All symptomatology associated with the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus should be reported.  
3. Thereafter, readjudicate the claims on appeal.  If the benefits sought remain denied, issue the Veteran and his representative a supplemental statement of the case and provide a reasonable opportunity to respond before returning the matter to the Board for further appellate review.
 
J. A. Anderson
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Saudiee Brown, Associate Counsel