Citation Nr: 20021871 Decision Date: 03/27/20 Archive Date: 03/27/20 DOCKET NO. 16-52 850 DATE: March 27, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from April 2007 to October 2011. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a December 2012 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In January 2020, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. The transcript is of record. 1. Entitlement to an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD is remanded. The Veteran contends that the current severity of his PTSD is worse than what is contemplated by the current rating. The Veteran testified to neglecting his person hygiene every once in a while, by not showering or bathing every day. The Veteran stated that he does not have friends and that he is very anxious. He does not like to go out and has panic attacks. The Veteran testified to having feelings of wanting to hurt himself or others. The Veteran expressed that he has checking behaviors and is always checking doors. The Veteran reported having nightmares, flashbacks, and irritable and anger issues. As the evidence suggests that the Veteran’s PTSD may have worsened since his last VA examination in April 2016, a remand is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected disability. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain updated VA treatment records to include records from Springfield and Danville VAMC. (Continued on the next page)   2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to ascertain the severity of his PTSD. After reviewing the evidence of record, the clinical examination, and the Veteran’s statements, the examiner should determine the current severity of the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD. The examination must address all PTSD manifestations, there frequency, severity and duration. The examiner is requested to provide full details as to all subjective complaints, objective findings, and effects on the Veteran’s social and occupational functioning. The examiner should address any impact the PTSD has on the Veteran’s ability to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment given his education and vocational history. LESLEY A. REIN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M.D. The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.