Citation Nr: 18157665
Decision Date: 12/13/18	Archive Date: 12/13/18

DOCKET NO. 15-03 326
DATE:	December 13, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty in the Army from June 1976 to June 1980.  He died in September 2016.  In a September 2018 letter, the Regional Office (RO) informed the appellant, the Veteran’s brother, that he had been substituted as the claimant for the purpose of continuing the Veteran’s service connection claim.
Regrettably, the Board finds that the PTSD claim must be remanded for additional development (specifically, stressor development) prior to adjudication by the Board.  The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD.  See September 2012 VA treatment record and October 2015 VA examination report.  He had previously stated that he was suffering from PTSD, in part, as a result of: witnessing the death of and recovering the body of a paratrooper during training at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he was stationed from January 1977 to June 1980; and being involved in a helicopter crash during night maneuvers in the mountains near Ft. Bragg around 1978.  See statements from the Veteran submitted in October 2013 and January 2016, September 2012 VA treatment record and October 2015 VA examination report.  In November 2013 (prior to the submission of all these statements from the Veteran), a Formal Finding on a lack of information required to verify stressors was provided stating that it was determined that the information provided was insufficient to send to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).  The Board finds that a formal request should be made regarding the alleged incidents between January 1, 1977 and June 27, 1980.  On remand, further attempts must be made to verify the Veteran’s alleged stressors.
The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:
1.  Attempt to verify the Veteran’s alleged stressors with any appropriate source, to include the JSRRC.  In this regard, review the file and prepare a summary of the Veteran’s claimed stressors at Ft. Bragg between January 1, 1977 and June 27, 1980, including but not limited to (1) witnessing the death of and recovering the body of a paratrooper during training and (2) being involved in a helicopter crash during night maneuvers in the mountains.  Forward the summary along with the Veteran’s statements and service personnel records, to any appropriate source, to include JSRRC, in an attempt to verify this stressor.  Any response should be documented in the record. 
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2.  Thereafter, and after undertaking any additional development deemed necessary, readjudicate the claim.
 
A. ISHIZAWAR
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	K.R.Fletcher, Counsel