Citation Nr: 21028323
Decision Date: 05/11/21	Archive Date: 05/11/21

DOCKET NO. 18-15 259
DATE: May 11, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from April 1968 to March 1970.  This case comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2017 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

A hearing was held before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in February 2021.  A transcript of the hearing is of record.

On review, the Board finds that additional development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the Veteran's claim.  Specifically, it appears that there may be outstanding non-VA treatment records, as detailed in the directives below.  In addition, the Veteran was scheduled for a new VA mental health examination in 2020.  The record indicates that he cancelled that appointment; however, neither he nor his spouse recalled that he did so when asked about the matter during the hearing.  He also expressed his willingness to appear for an examination at that time.  Based on the foregoing, as well as his testimony that his symptoms have increased in severity and are more severe than reflected in the August 2017 VA examination report, the Veteran should be rescheduled for this VA examination.

The case is REMANDED for the following actions:

1.  Request that the Veteran provide the names and addresses of any and all health care providers who have provided mental health treatment.  After acquiring any necessary authorization, obtain and associate these records with the claims file.  A specific request should be made for any treatment received from therapist J.H. through the Veterans Choice Program.  See March 2017 VA treatment record (Veteran approved for treatment).

2.  Obtain VA treatment records dated from December 2020 to the present.

3.  After completing the foregoing development, reschedule the Veteran for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder.  

 

 

MICHELLE L. KANE

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

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  This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability.  38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.