Citation Nr: 20004136 Decision Date: 01/16/20 Archive Date: 01/16/20 DOCKET NO. 17-38 113 DATE: January 16, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service from August 1968 to March 1970. He contends that the severity of his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are not properly represented by their current 30 percent disability ratings. This case is remanded for new VA examinations to evaluate the current severity of his conditions. The Veteran’s last VA examination for hearing loss was in January 2017. His last VA examination to assess his PTSD was in June 2016. While the requirement of a contemporaneous examination does not require a new examination based on the mere passage of time, a VA examination must be conducted when the evidence of record does not reflect the current state of the claimant’s disability. Schafrath v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 589, 595 (1991); 38 C.F.R. § 3.327(a). In this case, the Veteran’s representative stated that the Veteran believes that both of his conditions have worsened since his last VA examinations. See November 2019 Appellate Brief. Therefore, the Board finds that another examination must be conducted to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s PTSD and hearing loss disabilities. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain all outstanding VA treatment records. 2. Then, schedule the Veteran for an examination to ascertain the current severity of his PTSD. Any indicated evaluations, studies, and tests deemed necessary by the examiner should be accomplished. The entire claims file, should be made available to the examiner designated to provide an opinion. The examiner must report all symptoms and functional impairments that result from the Veteran’s PTSD. The examiner is advised that the Veteran is competent to report his symptoms and history, and such reports must be considered. A complete, well-reasoned rationale must be provided for any opinion offered. If the requested opinion cannot be rendered without resorting to speculation, the examiner must explain why. 3. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss. To the extent possible, the examiner must identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to bilateral hearing loss alone and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living. A complete, well-reasoned rationale must be provided for any opinion offered. If the requested opinion cannot be rendered without resorting to speculation, the examiner must explain why. Mary E. Rude Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board C. Ferrando The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and it does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.