Citation Nr: 18148812 Decision Date: 11/09/18 Archive Date: 11/08/18 DOCKET NO. 16-57 430 DATE: November 9, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with alcohol use and cannabis use disorder is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from March 1968 to March 1970. A November 2015 rating decision granted service connection for entitlement to service connection for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with alcohol use and cannabis use disorder and granted a 30 percent disability rating effective June 15, 2011. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with alcohol use and cannabis use disorder is remanded. A May 2014 disability questionnaire found the Veteran to have total occupational and social impairment as a result of his service-connected psychiatric disability. At a July 2014 VA examination, the examiner noted that the Veteran had markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities. However, the examiner did not express an opinion as to the effect of the Veteran’s service-connected psychiatric disorder on his employability. Moreover, the Veteran asserts that his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with alcohol use and cannabis use disorder has increased in severity. As such, the Board agrees with the Veteran and his representative that the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination. Generally, remands for VA examinations are not warranted based on the passage of time alone. However, in this case, the Board observes that the Veteran’s most recent VA examination occurred in July 2014 and is, thus, over four years old. Palczewski v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 174, 180 (2007). Therefore, given the Veteran representative’s contentions, the Board remands this matter for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with alcohol use and cannabis use disorder. Additionally, as the Veteran’s representative has referenced the Veteran’s private treatment for his other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with alcohol use and cannabis use disorder with Eagle Physicians, updated VA and private treatment records should be obtained and associated with the claims file. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Contact the appropriate VA Medical Center and obtain and associate with the claims file all outstanding treatment records. Also, ask the Veteran to identify any recent private treatment pertinent to his claim and provide information and authorization sufficient for VA to assist him in obtaining any pertinent medical records not yet associated with his file. The Board is particularly interested in records of treatment that the Veteran has received at Eagle Physicians. 2. Then, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the current nature and extent of his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with alcohol use and cannabis use disorder. The record, including a complete copy of this remand, must be made available to the examiner for review, and the examiner must indicate in the examination report that the record was reviewed in conjunction with the examination. The examiner should set forth all manifestations of this service-connected psychiatric disability and also discuss the impact of such symptoms on the Veteran’s social and occupational functioning. Additionally, the examiner is asked to reconcile his report with the May 2014 disability questionnaire which found the Veteran to have total occupational and social impairment as a result of his service-connected psychiatric disability. Complete rationale must be given for the opinions and conclusions expressed. The Veteran is competent to report symptoms, and such reports must be considered in rendering the requested opinions. If the examiner cannot provide an opinion without resort to speculation, the examiner should provide an explanation as to why this is so and note what, if any, additional evidence would permit such an opinion to be made. 3. Thereafter, readjudicate the increased rating claim on appeal. If the benefit sought is not granted to the fullest extent, the Veteran and his representative should be furnished an appropriate supplemental statement of the case and provided an opportunity to respond. The claim should be returned to the Board as warranted. THERESA M. CATINO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD N. Peden, Associate Counsel