Citation Nr: 21009231 Decision Date: 02/22/21 Archive Date: 02/22/21 DOCKET NO. 13-35 821 DATE: February 22, 2021 REMANDED An initial rating higher than 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with secondary major depressive disorder (MDD).   REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 1967 to September 1969. This case comes to the Board from a November 2013 rating decision. In November 2017, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing. Most recently, in a September 2019 decision, the Board denied a higher initial rating for the psychiatric disorder. The Veteran appealed the Board’s September 2019 decision to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claim (Court). Pursuant to a July 2020 joint motion for remand (JMR), in an August 2020 order, the Court vacated the September 2019 Board decision and remanded the matter to the Board for further appellate review. An initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD with secondary MDD. The July 2020 JMR reflects a determination that inadequate reasons and bases were provided in the September 2019 Board decision denying an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD with secondary MDD. Specifically, it was noted that the decision does not sufficiently address the functional impact of the Veteran’s anger, irritability, verbal aggression, violent temper, and suicidal thoughts. See March 2011, August 2014, December 2014 VA examination reports; July 2011 private opinion; December 2017 VA treatment records. In addition, the January 2021 submission from the Veteran’s representative notes that the Veteran’s psychiatric symptoms had increased in severity due to service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer. In that respect, VA treatment records in October 2020 reflect depression, as well as anxiety in association with a planned cystoscopy with a possible urethral dilation. As there is an indication that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms have worsened, remand for a new VA examination is warranted. See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997). In view of the remand, VA treatment records since January 2021 should be obtained. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain VA treatment records since January 2021. (Continued on the next page)   2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination (or telehealth interview, records request, etc. if an in-person examination is not feasible) by an appropriate clinician to assess the severity of the service-connected PTSD with secondary MDD, since November 12, 2010. The examiner is requested to provide full details as to all subjective complaints, objective findings, and effects on the Veteran’s social and occupational functioning, since November 12, 2010. In so doing, the frequency, severity and duration of PTSD symptoms should be addressed, and specifically, anger, irritability, verbal aggression, violent temper, and suicidal thoughts noted at the time of VA examinations in March 2011, August 2014, December 2014, as well as in the July 2011 private opinion and/or December 2017 VA treatment records. The length of remissions, and the Veteran’s capacity for adjustment during periods of remission, since November 12, 2010, should also be addressed. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Taylor 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.