Citation Nr: 23043535 Decision Date: 08/06/23 Archive Date: 08/06/23 DOCKET NO. 19-36 685 DATE: August 6, 2023 REMANDED Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1999 to August 2003 and from August 2007 to November 2014. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2018 rating decision which, in pertinent part, denied service connection for PTSD and tinnitus. In order to serve the Veteran's stated interests, the Board has broadened the Veteran's PTSD claim as a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009). In a November 2022 rating decision, VA granted service connection for tinnitus. As this represents a maximum grant of the benefit sought on appeal, this issue is no longer pending before the Board. In April 2022 correspondence, the Veteran requested to advance his appeal on the docket due to financial hardship. Having reviewed the record, the Board finds insufficient cause has been shown. Advancement on the docket is warranted where a claimant is experiencing "severe financial hardship." While the Board is sympathetic to the Veteran's financial difficulties, the evidence submitted is not sufficient to demonstrate "severe financial hardship." The motion to advance on the docket is denied. See 38 C.F.R. § 20.902. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision at this time. While a June 2018 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was less likely than not related to service, the examiner's opinion was based on a finding that the Veteran only reported post-service psychosocial stressors, without consideration of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors. The Veteran reports two stressors while deployed to Iraq. The first, that he assisted during mass casualty events and saw a child who looked like his own die; and the second, that his base suffered heavy bombing and that he feared for his life. The Board notes that during a December 2011 post-deployment health assessment, the Veteran reported encountering dead bodies or seeing people killed or wounded. It does not appear that VA has been able to undertake development to verify the Veteran's second stressor pertaining to the bombing of his base. Additionally, while the June 2018 VA examiner indicated that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, the Board notes that the Veteran's VA treatment records show various psychiatric diagnoses throughout the appeal period, including anxiety and unspecified trauma/stressor-related disorder, rule out PTSD, and that PTSD is listed as an active problem. Thus, the Board finds that a remand is warranted to verify the Veteran's stressor and obtain a new VA examination and medical opinion that clarifies the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses and etiology of such. ? The matter is REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Attempt to corroborate the Veteran's in-service stressor(s), including that his base was heavily bombed. If more details are needed, contact the Veteran to request the information. 2. After the Veteran's reported stressor(s) have been developed, schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If the Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD, the examiner must explain how the diagnostic criteria are met and opine whether it is at least as likely as not (likelihood is at least approximately balanced or nearly equal, if not higher) related to a verified in-service stressor. For any other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, the examiner must opine whether each diagnosed disorder is at least as likely as not (likelihood is at least approximately balanced or nearly equal, if not higher) related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, to include that he assisted during mass casualty events and saw a child who looked like his own die, and that his base suffered heavy bombing and that he feared for his life. Provide a complete rationale for the opinion(s). In doing so, the examiner should clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders during the appeal period. If the examiner finds that the Veteran does meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or unspecified trauma/stressor-related disorder, the examiner should reconcile that finding with the Veteran's VA treatment records showing diagnosis of or treatment for such. 3. After completing the above, and any other development as may be indicated, the Veteran's claim should be readjudicated based on the entirety of the evidence. If the claim remains denied, the Veteran and his representative should be issued a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). An appropriate period of time should be allowed for response. Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration, if otherwise in order. K. Parakkal Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Owen, 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.