Citation Nr: 18129352
Decision Date: 08/24/18	Archive Date: 08/24/18

DOCKET NO. 15-31 262
DATE:	August 24, 2018
REMANDED
The claim for a compensable rating for service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active military service from January 1974 to July 1975.
1.  The claim for a compensable rating for service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type, is remanded.
During his hearing, held in August 2018, the Veteran testified that he received VA treatment every six months, and that he takes 12 medications.
In September 2013, the Veteran filed his claim.  No VA treatment records are associated with the claims file for the time period on appeal.  See also July 2015 Statement of the Case; July 2018 Supplemental Statement of the Case (indicating that no VA treatment records were reviewed).  It therefore appears that there may be VA treatment records that are not of record.  On remand, an attempt should be made to obtain them.  38 U.S.C. § 5103A; 38 C.F.R. § 3.159 (c); Bell v. Derwinski, 2 Vet. App. 611, 613 (1992).  
The Veteran was most recently afforded an examination in May 2014.  Under the circumstances, on remand, he should be afforded another psychiatric examination.  Green v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 121, 124 (1991); McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).
The Veteran is advised that it is his responsibility to report for any examination and to cooperate in the development of his claim.  The consequences for failure to report for a VA examination without good cause may include denial of the claim.  38 C.F.R. § 3.655.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1.  Obtain all pertinent VA medical records.
2.  Then, schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination.  
 
MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	T.S.E., Counsel