Citation Nr: 18151977
Decision Date: 11/21/18	Archive Date: 11/20/18

DOCKET NO. 16-46 916
DATE:	November 21, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with a major depressive disorder is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from May 2006 to May 2010.  This matter is before the Board on appeal from a September 2013 rating decision.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with a major depressive disorder is remanded.
The Veteran submitted a December 2016 Disability Benefits Questionnaire and medical opinion which appears to indicate that his psychiatric disability has worsened since his most recent (August 2013) VA examination.  Given the length of the intervening period since he was last examined and the allegation of worsening, 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:
1.  Obtain for the record the Veteran’s complete updated (from May 2016 to the present) records of VA mental health treatment.
2.  Then, arrange for a psychiatric evaluation of the Veteran to assess the severity of his PTSD with major depressive disorder.  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 with major depressive disorder, 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 with major depressive disorder 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