Citation Nr: 21021481
Decision Date: 04/13/21	Archive Date: 04/13/21

DOCKET NO. 20-04 145
DATE: April 13, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S Navy from May 1982 to April 1986. 

The record shows that the Veteran was been in receipt of Social Security Administration benefits (SSA) since 2005. The July 2005 decision shows that the Veteran was granted benefits in part due to PTSD. While the record contains the July 2005 SSA decision which granted the benefit, the medical records relating to the grant of benefits have not been obtained and associated with the claims file. As these records may be relevant to the Veteran’s claim, a remand is necessary to obtain and associate with the claims file any relevant Social Security Administration records and decisions. On remand any ongoing VA and private treatment records should also be obtained.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain and associate with the record any outstanding VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities to include records from 1993 and from the Brecksville and Wade Park VAMCs.  

2. Obtain and associate with the file all relevant outstanding Social Security Administration disability records and decisions. The AOJ should contact the Social Security Administration for the purpose of obtaining a copy of all decisions and all medical records relied upon in conjunction with the appellant’s claim for Social Security Administration disability benefits. All attempts to obtain the SSA records must be documented in the file. If no records are available, such must be clearly stated in the record.

3. Thereafter, readjudicate the claim. If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, furnish the Veteran and his representative a supplemental statement of the case and allow an appropriate period of time to respond.

 

 

T. MAINELLI

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	T.S. Willie

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.