Citation Nr: 21061631
Decision Date: 10/04/21	Archive Date: 10/04/21

DOCKET NO. 18-34 788
DATE: October 4, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from February 1978 to April 1981.

A Board hearing was held before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in February 2021, and a transcript of the hearing is of record.

The Veteran seeks entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to specifically include PTSD.  See January 2018 Decision Review Officer Hearing transcript; see also Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009).  In this case, it appears outstanding VA treatment records have not been associated with the claims file, to include VA mental health treatment records.  See November 2013 VA Form 21-0820; see also July 2015 VA initial intake note (indicating prior VA mental health treatment).  The Board regrets the additional delay, but finds remand is necessary to obtain and associate all outstanding VA treatment records with the claims file.  See 38 C.F.R. § 3.159.      

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain all outstanding VA treatment records not currently on file, to include any mental health clinic treatment from VA's facilities in Washington DC prior to 2015.

2. Following completion of the above development, and any additional development deemed warranted, readjudicate the appeal based on a review of the entire record  to include any additional evidence obtained on remand.  If, after all development is completed, the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, send the Veteran and his attorney a supplemental statement of the case and inform the Veteran of his appeal options.

 

 

V. Chiappetta

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	B. Mask, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.