Citation Nr: 18100744
Decision Date: 04/20/18	Archive Date: 04/20/18

DOCKET NO. 14-40 367A
DATE:	April 20, 2018
ISSUES DECIDED:	0	ISSUES REMANDED:	1
 
REMANDED ISSUE
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded for additional development.
The Veteran served on active duty from April 1968 to February 1970.
In November 2017, the Veteran testified at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge.  A transcript of the hearing is of record.
The Veteran’s VA treatment records reflect that he was diagnosed with anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS).  Further, the Veteran’s private treatment records reflect a diagnosis of PTSD.  In addition, the Veteran claims that he did   not accurately answer the questions asked of him during the May 2012 PTSD    VA examination.  In light of the above, the Board finds that an additional VA psychiatric examination would be helpful in adjudicating the Veteran’s claim.  Updated treatment records should also be obtained.
 
The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:
1. Ask the Veteran to provide the names and addresses of all medical care providers who have recently treated him for his claimed psychiatric disabilities. After securing any necessary releases, the Agency of Original Jurisdiction 

should request any relevant records identified.  In addition, obtain updated VA treatment records.  If any requested records are unavailable, the Veteran and his representative should be notified of such.
2. After records development is completed, the Veteran should be afforded a VA PTSD examination. The claims file should be reviewed by the examiner in conjunction with the examination.  All necessary tests should be conducted and the results reported.
Following review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner should indicate if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and if so, indicate the stressors upon which the diagnosis is based.  If the Veteran is diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders (other than a personality disorder), the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any current psychiatric disability, to include panic disorder and anxiety disorder arose during service or are otherwise related to service.  The examiner should also explain     the significance, if any, of the November 1969 and December 1969 treatment for nervousness and anxiety.  A rationale for all opinions expressed should be provided.
3. After undertaking the development above and any additional development deemed necessary, the Veteran’s claims should be readjudicated.  If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran and his representative should be furnished a supplemental statement of the case 


and be given an appropriate period to respond thereto before the case is returned to the Board, if in order.

 
 
K. A. BANFIELD
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	S. Medina, Associate Counsel