Citation Nr: 18148829
Decision Date: 11/09/18	Archive Date: 11/08/18

DOCKET NO. 16-33 826
DATE:	November 9, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an increased evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from August 1967 to May 1970.
This matter come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2012 rating decision.
On his July 2016 VA Form 9, the Veteran stated that he had additional medical evidence to submit in support of his claim and that he would submit the evidence within 30 days.  However, he has not submitted any additional evidence.  On remand, he should be provided an opportunity to do so.  Any updated VA treatment records and treatment records from the Columbus Vet Center should also be obtained.
The Veteran’s most recent VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD was conducted in December 2015.  As the case must be remanded to obtain additional records, a new VA examination should also be provided.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records, dated from January 2013 forward.
2. Obtain any outstanding treatment records from the Columbus Vet Center, dated from January 2013 forward.
3. On his July 2016 VA Form 9, the Veteran stated that he had additional medical evidence to submit in support of his claim.  Please ask the Veteran to submit this evidence, as well as any other relevant evidence he has in his possession.
4.  After completing the foregoing development, the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD.  All studies, tests, and evaluations deemed necessary by the examiner should be performed.
The examiner is requested to review all pertinent records associated with the claims file, including any treatment records and assertions.
It should be noted that the Veteran is competent to attest to matters of which he has first-hand knowledge, including observable symptomatology.  If there is a clinical basis to support or doubt the history provided by the Veteran, the examiner should provide a fully reasoned explanation.
The examiner should report all signs and symptoms necessary for rating the Veteran’s disability under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The findings of the examiner should address the level of social and occupational impairment attributable to the Veteran’s PTSD. 
 
P. M. DILORENZO
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Department of Veterans Affairs