Citation Nr: 19115243 Decision Date: 03/05/19 Archive Date: 03/01/19 DOCKET NO. 16-12 507 DATE: March 5, 2019 REMANDED Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.   REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 1978 to October 1982, with additional service in the Army National Guard. The case is on appeal from a March 2015 rating decision. In the March 2016 substantive appeal, the Veteran requested a live videoconference hearing. A hearing was scheduled for January 2019. However, the Veteran contacted the RO in January 2019 and withdrew his hearing request. Accordingly, the Board considers the Veteran’s request for a hearing to be withdrawn. See 38 C.F.R. § 20.704. Service connection for PTSD. The Veteran contends that he has PTSD or a separate psychiatric diagnosis which is related to service. Service connection for a mental illness was previously denied in September 2013. As PTSD has its own regulation, the Board finds that this is a new claim. With regard to his claimed PTSD, he submitted an August 2014 statement in which he indicated he was almost killed during a terrorist bombing of Ramstein Air Base in Germany. He reported while he was stationed at Ramstein, a loud bomb exploded and shook the ground and caused smoke and debris to fill the air. The Veteran indicated he was in fear for his life as he may have been killed or seriously injured if he had been located near the headquarters building which was blown up. His military personnel records show he had active service in Germany for approximately two years. The Veteran also reported an earlier traumatic incident at Fort Hood in Texas during a training exercise involving howitzer canons being fired. The medical evidence of record supports psychiatric diagnoses, including for PTSD. A February 2016 medical opinion was received from a psychologist which diagnosed the Veteran with PTSD and major depressive disorder. He noted significant psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks, memory loss, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships and suicidal ideation. VA treatment records also indicate psychiatric diagnoses, including a July 2015 VA treatment record which reported the Veteran had worsening PTSD and was taking medication for anxiety. An August 2015 VA record indicated the Veteran has a history of PTSD, major depressive disorder, insomnia, relationship problems and adjustment disorder. During the August 2015 examination, the Veteran also reported experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations due to his PTSD. The evidence supports the Veteran suffers from PTSD and potentially other psychiatric disorders, which may be related to his in-service stressors. Thus, the Board finds a VA examination must be obtained to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder. See 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(4)(i); McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). Updated VA treatment records should also be obtained upon remand. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain VA treatment records from August 2017. 2. With regard to his claimed PTSD, conduct a search for any pertinent records that would assist in verifying the Veteran’s stressors claimed as being near a bomb explosion at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and being exposed to howitzer fire during a training exercise at Fort Hood. Any action necessary for independent verification of the alleged stressors should be accomplished, including notifying the Veteran he may submit evidence in support, such as lay statements from soldiers he served with. If the search for corroborating information leads to negative results, the efforts taken must be documented and the Veteran and his representative should be so informed. 3. Thereafter, schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination by an appropriate medical professional to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The examiner should identify all current psychiatric disorders, including whether he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. If PTSD cannot be diagnosed, the examiner should address the indication of PTSD in the February 2016 medical report, as well as the VA treatment records. The examiner should opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset during, or is otherwise related to, service. If PTSD is diagnosed, the underlying stressor(s) should be identified, to include consideration of the Veteran’s contentions. A complete rationale or explanation should be provided for any opinion reached. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD B. Isaacs, Associate Counsel