Citation Nr: 21015059 Decision Date: 03/16/21 Archive Date: 03/16/21 DOCKET NO. 17-34 731 DATE: March 16, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1978 to July 1979 and from June 1982 to July 1991. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a March 2016 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In a March 2019 Board decision, the Veteran was granted an increased evaluation from 30 percent to 50 percent for her service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, referred to in that decision as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran appealed the March 2019 decision to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court), which vacated the March 2019 decision and remanded the matter for additional development in a July 2020 decision. The matter has now returned to the Board for action consistent with the July 2020 Court decision. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is remanded. A review of the Veteran’s VA treatment records reveals that the Veteran has present diagnoses of PTSD, agoraphobia, and panic disorder. The Veteran received VA examinations in January 2012 and April 2017 regarding the nature and severity of her service-connected psychiatric disability. Both examiners diagnosed the Veteran with PTSD, however neither examiner acknowledged or discussed the Veteran’s diagnosed agoraphobia and panic disorders or the symptoms associated with such conditions. Accordingly, the Board finds that these examinations are inadequate for rating purposes and that remand is warranted to obtain a new examination. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Afford the Veteran an examination with an examiner of appropriate expertise to determine the severity of her service-connected psychiatric disorder throughout the entire period on appeal. All pertinent evidence of record should be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. Any indicated studies should be performed. The examiner should specifically address any symptoms related to the Veteran’s diagnosed PTSD, agoraphobia, and panic disorder. T. REYNOLDS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board D. Gorum, 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.