Citation Nr: 18150161
Decision Date: 11/14/18	Archive Date: 11/14/18

DOCKET NO. 16-42 832
DATE:	November 14, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active naval service from October 1995 to April 2005. 
This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2015 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Waco, Texas. 
Service Connection - PTSD
The Board finds that additional development is required before the claim on appeal is decided.  
The Board notes that the Veteran has consistently asserted that he has an acquired psychiatric disability as a result of his active service.  In that regard, he stated that he saw fellow servicemembers killed during active service.  Further, service treatment records show the Veteran complained of depression and/or anxiety.  Moreover, the Veteran has post-service treatment records showing current psychiatric disabilities, to include PTSD.  In light of the Veteran’s statements and his current diagnoses, the Board concludes that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability.  McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).
Additionally, current treatment records should be identified and obtained before a decision is made in this case.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Identify and obtain any pertinent, outstanding VA and private treatment records and associate them with the claims file.
2. Then, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination with a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present psychiatric disability.  The claims file must be made available to, and reviewed by the examiner.  All indicated tests and studies must be performed. 
Based on the examination results and review of the record, the examiner should first identify all psychiatric disabilities present during the pendency of the claim, and proximate thereto.  
Then, for each identified disability, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that such disability had its onset during active service, or is otherwise etiologically related to such service. 
In forming the opinion, the examiner must consider the Veteran’s statements regarding the onset and continuity of his psychiatric symptoms.  The must consider the November 2002 service treatment record indicating complaints of depression and/or anxiety during active service. 
The rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided.  
3. Confirm that the VA examination report and all opinions provided comport with this remand, and undertake any other development found to be warranted.
4. Then, readjudicate the issue on appeal.  If the decision is adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response.  Then, return the case to the Board.
 
Kristin Haddock
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Mariah N. Sim, Associate Counsel