Citation Nr: 21075045
Decision Date: 12/17/21	Archive Date: 12/17/21

DOCKET NO. 17-15 189
DATE: December 17, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from October 1966 to July 1970 with service in the Republic of Vietnam.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals on appeal from a March 2015 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

In August 2021, the Veteran testified at a Board videoconference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge.  A transcript of the hearing is included in the claims file.

1. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran was afforded a hearing before the Board and the undersigned VLJ in August 2021. During the hearing, the Veteran reported increasing PTSD symptoms.  The Board notes the Veteran's last VA examinations were conducted in March 2015, over six years ago, and therefore a new examination is necessary to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's PTSD.  See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 403 (1997). 

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

Schedule the Veteran for a VA mental health examination, with a psychiatrist or psychologist, to address the current nature and severity of his PTSD.  The Veteran's record should be reviewed by the examiner.  All appropriate tests and studies should be conducted, and the results reported in detail.  The report should detail all subjective complaints and objective symptoms.  In addition to objective test results, the examiner should fully describe the practical effects caused by the Veteran's PTSD, including the effect of his disability on his social and occupational functioning.

The examiner must include a rationale with all opinions.

 

 

A. C. MACKENZIE

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.