Citation Nr: 20030786 Decision Date: 05/01/20 Archive Date: 05/01/20 DOCKET NO. 18-29 742 DATE: May 1, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from March 1970 to October 1972. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2015 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In March 2020, the Veteran testified at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript is associated with the claims folder. Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded. In the Veteran’s February 2016 notice of disagreement and at the March 2020 Board hearing, the Veteran asserted that his anxiety disorder worsened since the last VA examination in October 2014. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his unspecified anxiety disorder. Furthermore, the Veteran has indicated that he received private treatment for his psychiatric disorder. In June 2016 and Febraury 2017 VA treatment records, the Veteran was noted to receive treatment at the Clayton CSB. Although there are records from the Clayton Center, the latest records associated with the claims file are from November 2015; more recent records are not yet associated with the claims file. The Veteran also received treatment from a Dr. Christie during the period on appeal. The October 2014 VA examination report indicates he was seen by Dr. Christie for 3 to 4 years. However, the claims file only contains the initial July 2008 assessment and the March 2012 treatment record. Updated records should be obtained. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records since August 2019. 2. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any clinicians who have treated the Veteran during the appeal period, including Dr. Christie, Dr. Snapperman, and the Clayton Center or Clayton CSB. Make two requests for the authorized records from any identified clinician, unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile. 3. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder. 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. The examiner must attempt to elicit information regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms. As the Veteran has multiple psychiatric diagnoses, the examiner should identify any symptoms and social and occupational impairment due to his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder alone, if possible. D. JOHNSON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board K. Vuong, Associate Counsel 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.