Citation Nr: 18151536
Decision Date: 11/19/18	Archive Date: 11/19/18

DOCKET NO. 15-10 117A
DATE:	November 19, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to increases in the (10 percent prior to September 8, 2015, and 30 percent from that date) staged ratings assigned for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from August 2001 to March 2007.  This matter is before the Board on appeal from a July 2013 rating decision.
Entitlement to increases in the (10 percent prior to September 8, 2015, and 30 percent from that date) ratings assigned for PTSD is remanded.
In a November 2018 statement, the Veteran’s representative asserts that the Veteran’s PTSD affects his daily life to a greater degree than reported by the VA examiners.  The Veteran was last afforded a VA psychiatric examination in September 2015.  Given the length of the intervening period since he was last examined and the allegation of worsening since the most recent examination, a contemporaneous examination to assess the disability is necessary.
The record reflects that there may be outstanding pertinent VA treatment records.  Any such records are constructively of record, and must be secured.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1.  Obtain for the record the Veteran’s complete updated (from September 2014 to the present) records of VA treatment for PTSD.
2.  Then, arrange for a psychiatric evaluation of the Veteran to assess the severity of his PTSD.  The examiner should review the Veteran’s claims file and the schedular criteria for rating mental disorders.  The examiner should describe in detail all signs and symptoms of PTSD, noting the presence or absence of all symptoms listed in the schedular criteria for psychiatric ratings above 30 percent, as well as any symptoms of equivalent nature and severity found that are not listed in the schedular criteria.  The examiner should describe the impact the PTSD has on the Veteran’s occupational and daily activity living functioning.
 
GEORGE R. SENYK
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	D. Schechner, Counsel