Citation Nr: 18150261
Decision Date: 11/14/18	Archive Date: 11/14/18

DOCKET NO. 16-35 476
DATE:	November 14, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from July 1965 to July 1967.  
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2015 rating decision issued by RO. 
This appeal was processed using the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) paperless claims processing system.
1. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is remanded.
Remand is required to afford the Veteran VA examination to determine whether he has a current psychiatric disorder that onset due to event or incident of his period of service. Medical evidence received after a 2013 examination indicates that the Veteran is being treated for PTSD, however a diagnosis and stressor have not been substantiated. The Veteran is also noted to have anxiety symptoms and a clarifying examination is necessary
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Ask the Veteran if he has any further medical and non-medical evidence to submit that is not already in VA’s possession. Assist him in obtaining it.
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorder. The VBMS file must be reviewed by the psychologist/psychiatrist. All indicated tests and studies should be performed and the clinical findings should be reported in detail. 
A comprehensive clinical history should be obtained, to include a discussion of the Veteran’s documented medical history and assertions. After reviewing the entire record, the examiner should provide an opinion with supporting explanations as to the following: 
Does the Veteran have a current acquired psychiatric disorder INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PTSD, ANXIETY, AND/OR A DEPRESSION that was incurred in or because of active duty service, including his experiences as a medical corpsman in Korea?  
As indicated above, the examiner must review the record in conjunction with rendering the requested opinion; however, his/her attention is drawn to the following:
*The May 1967 Report of Medical History reflects that the Veteran experienced depression or excessive worry and nervous trouble. In pertinent part, the physician diagnosed situational depression and nervous trouble. 
*An October 2013 Report of VA examination documents a diagnosis of Anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS). The psychologist remarked that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for PTSD but did qualify for a diagnosis of Anxiety disorder, NOS. The psychologist noted that the Veteran did not receive any psychiatric treatment during his period of service but did report feeling anxious and depressed at service separation. The Veteran explained during the examination that his anxious and depressed feelings were due to work stress. The psychologist concluded that he could not make a connection between the Veteran’s anxiety disorder and his military experience without resort to mere speculation.
*A February 2016 VA psychiatric treatment note documents diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder and that the Veteran met criteria for PTSD per PCLM, though he was functioning well. 
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THE EXAMINER IS ADVISED THAT BY LAW, THE MERE STATEMENT THAT THE CLAIMS FOLDER WAS REVIEWED AND/OR THE EXAMINER HAS EXPERTISE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO FIND THAT THE EXAMINATION IS SUFFICIENT.
 
Vito A. Clementi
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	G. Jackson, Counsel