Citation Nr: 21062463
Decision Date: 10/07/21	Archive Date: 10/07/21

DOCKET NO. 17-06 783
DATE: October 7, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

An October 2015 rating decision denied service connection claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because there was no current diagnosis of PTSD.  The Veteran then requested reconsideration of the claim and a May 2016 rating decision readjudicated the matter and continued the denial for service connection for PTSD due to no current diagnosis.   For the reasons discussed below, the Board finds that additional evidentiary development is required.

The Veteran testified at the hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in May 2021.  A copy of the proceeding is associated with the electronic claims file.  Subsequent to this hearing, the Veteran changed representatives. The new representative will have an opportunity to participate in the appeal if the appeal returns to the Board.

As discussed at the hearing, subsequent to the VA examination of record, evidence relevant to the question of whether the Veteran has a current PTSD diagnosis has been added to the file. On this basis, the Board remand for a new VA examination that addresses whether the Veteran has a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD.

Accordingly, the matters are REMANDED for the following action(s):

1. Obtain updated VA treatment records

2. Thereafter, schedule the Veteran for a PTSD VA examination.

After review of the record, to include the contents of this remand, the examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD, and if, so what are the stressor or stressors upon which the diagnosis made.

3. Based on the results of the VA examination, complete any necessary stressor verification.

 

 

Nathaniel J. Doan

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Brooks, Jasmine

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.