Citation Nr: 18148289
Decision Date: 11/08/18	Archive Date: 11/07/18

DOCKET NO. 16-13 428
DATE:	November 8, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an increased rating for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), currently evaluated as 50 percent disability is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active duty service from September 1966 until August 1968. 
These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from the May 2014 rating decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
Entitlement to an increased rating for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
The Veteran, through his representative, has asserted that PTSD has gotten worse during the appeal period. (See October 2018 Informal Hearing Presentation). Based on the Veteran's statements that his disability on appeal have gotten worse, the Board finds that a VA examination assessing its current severity are warranted. Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997).
 
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Request the appellant to identify all medical providers (VA and private) from whom he has received treatment for his claimed condition; complete and return a provided VA Form 21-4142, Authorization and Consent to Release Information, for the identified treatment records. After obtaining completed VA Forms 21-4142, the AOJ should attempt to obtain all identified pertinent medical records and associate them with the claims file.
2. Schedule the Veteran for a mental health examination in regard to the claim for an increased rating for PTSD to determine the current severity of his mental disability. The claims file should be made available for the examiner to review, and the examination report should reflect that such review was accomplished. All subjective complaints and objective findings should be described, and a multi-axial diagnosis must be rendered and 
 
described in terms of social and occupational impairment.

 
M. H. HAWLEY
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Brandon A. Williams, Counsel