Citation Nr: 18149481
Decision Date: 11/09/18	Archive Date: 11/09/18

DOCKET NO. 18-10 204
DATE:	November 9, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression, is remanded.  
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from January 1969 to January 1973.
The Board acknowledges that in October 2018, the Veteran submitted a RAMP opt-in election form.  However, given that his appeal was already activated at the Board when his form was received, he is not eligible for the RAMP program for this particular appeal.  
The Board acknowledges that the Veteran filed a claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder which has been diagnosed as PTSD and major depression.  However, a service connection claim which describes only one particular psychiatric disorder should not necessarily be limited to that disorder.  Rather, as reflected herein, VA should consider the claim as one for any psychiatric disability that may reasonably be encompassed by evidence of record.  Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009).
Entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depression, is remanded
The Board notes that in June 2017, the Regional Office (RO) denied the Veteran’s claim for PTSD on the basis that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of this disorder.  However, in a June 2017 VA examination, the examiner determined that the Veteran had a diagnosis of major depression, and it is unclear that this newly diagnosed disorder has been considered.  Therefore, on remand, the RO should consider all psychiatric disorders reasonably raised by the record.  See Clemons, 23 Vet. App. 1.  
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain any and all treatment records any VA facility from which the Veteran has received treatment.  
If the Veteran has received additional private treatment, he should be afforded an appropriate opportunity to submit them.  
 
2. After undertaking any other steps in developing this claim that the RO deems necessary, including any new VA examinations, the claim should be readjudicated.  If the claim remains denied, a supplemental statement of the case should be sent to the Veteran. 
 
B.T. KNOPE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. Meyer, Associate Counsel