Citation Nr: 18151581
Decision Date: 11/19/18	Archive Date: 11/19/18

DOCKET NO. 14-34 191A
DATE:	November 19, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for a psychiatric disorder, to include other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from December 2009 to November 2013.  This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of a June 2014 rating decision.  In November 2018 a videoconference hearing was held before the undersigned.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for a psychiatric disorder, to include other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, is remanded.
The most recent VA examination to assess the Veteran’s psychiatric disorder was in April 2014.  At the November 2018 videoconference hearing it was alleged that symptoms of the psychiatric disorder have increased in severity since that examination.  In light of the allegation of worsening, the Veteran’s testimony regarding the impact of his psychiatric medication on his work, and the more than 4-year interval since he was last examined, a contemporaneous examination to assess the disorder is necessary.
A review of the record found that the Veteran has received private treatment (in addition to VA treatment) for his psychiatric disorder.  Records of such treatment are pertinent evidence that is outstanding, and must be secured.  Records of all VA treatment the Veteran has received for his psychiatric disorder since September 2014 are constructively of record, may be pertinent, and must be secured.
The matter is REMANDED for the following:
1. Ask the Veteran to identify the provider(s) of all evaluations and treatment he has received for his service connected psychiatric disorder, and to provide any authorizations necessary for VA to secure all (outstanding) private records of the evaluations and treatment.  Secure for the record complete clinical records of the evaluations and treatment from all providers identified, to specifically include complete records of any evaluations or treatment he has received from VA since April 2014.  If any such records are unavailable, the reason for their unavailability must be noted in the record, and the Veteran should be so advised.
2.  Then arrange for a psychiatric examination of the Veteran to assess the severity of his psychiatric disorder. The Veteran’s entire record must be reviewed by the examiner in conjunction with the examination.  The examiner should have available for review the 38 C.F.R. § 4.130 criteria for rating mental disorders, and should note the presence or absence of each symptom listed in the criteria for ratings above 30 percent (and any symptoms of similar gravity found that are not listed), and their impact on occupational and social functioning and activities of daily living.  Comment on the impact the psychiatric disorder has on the Veteran’s occupational and social (to include daily activity) functioning. 
The examiner must include rationale with all opinions.
 
GEORGE R. SENYK
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. Bayles, Associate Counsel