Citation Nr: 18118564
Decision Date: 07/13/18	Archive Date: 07/13/18

DOCKET NO. 16-37 891
DATE:	July 13, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.
Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for dermatophytosis is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from May 1951 to May 1953 and December 1954 to March 1956.

1.  Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.
In his March 2014 stress report, the Veteran claimed that in 1952, while stationed and training in Germany, with the seventh army, his machine gun crew fell down an embarkment.  He reported that he then jumped from the truck, which landed upside down.  He was then able to safely extract his fellow soldiers.  The AOJ should contact the Veteran for clarification regarding his claimed stressors and attempt to verify his reports.
Obtain a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder due to service.
2. Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for dermatophytosis is remanded.
In June 2018, the Veteran’s attorney submitted evidence indicating that his dermatophytosis has worsened since the last VA examination.  The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his skin disability.  
Included in the June 2018 correspondence were VA medical records not previously associated with the claims file, including dermatology consults.  Any VA treatment records are within VA’s constructive possession, and are considered potentially relevant to the issues on appeal.  A remand is required to allow VA to obtain them.  
The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:
1.  Obtain the Veteran’s unassociated VA treatment – to specifically include any consult not previously obtained (as indicated by VA consults submitted by the Veteran in June 2018).  
2.  Attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors, including the March 2014 stress report of a 1952 accident in Germany (discussed above).  The AOJ should contact the Veteran for clarification regarding his claimed stressors and attempt to verify his reports.  If more details are needed, contact the Veteran to request the information.
3.  Schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  
If the Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD, the examiner must explain how the diagnostic criteria are met and opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to a verified in-service stressor.  
If any other acquired psychiatric disorders are diagnosed, the examiner must opine whether each diagnosed disorder is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.  The VA examiner should specifically consider the private medical opinion provided by the Veteran in June 2018 and the translated medical documents.
4.  Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected dermatophytosis.  
The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria.  
 
H.M. WALKER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Lindio, Counsel