Citation Nr: 21074283
Decision Date: 12/14/21	Archive Date: 12/14/21

DOCKET NO. 18-41 176
DATE: December 14, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from February 1965 to February 1967 and January 1976 to May 1991.

This matter again comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2017 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Board previously remanded this matter in June 2019 and September 2021.

The Board acknowledges receipt of an October 2021 examination evaluating the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. However, the examiner did not discuss the Veteran's reported history of suicidal thoughts and visual hallucinations. See October 2021 Review PTSD C&P Examination; August 2018 VA Form 9; January 2019 VA Mental Health Nursing Note; January 2019 VA Psychiatry Outpatient E&M Note; August 2019 VA Mental Health Nursing Note; August 2019 VA Psychiatry Outpatient E&M Note. Thus, the Board requests an addendum opinion to determine the severity of the Veteran's PTSD throughout the period on appeal. See Chotta v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 80 (2008).

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Forward the claims file, including a copy of this remand, to the clinician who conducted the October 2021 examination for an addendum opinion as to the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD throughout the period on appeal. If the October 2021 examiner is not available, forward the claims file to another clinician with the appropriate expertise.

The clinician should opine on the nature and severity of the Veteran's PTSD from July 13, 2016, to the present, including any occupational and social impairment caused by the Veteran's symptomatology.

In formulating this opinion, the clinician should address whether, at any point from July 13, 2016, forward, the record reflects any change(s) in the severity, frequency, and/or duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and, if so, the approximate date(s) of any such change(s).

 

 

DELYVONNE M. WHITEHEAD

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	S. Hoffman

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.