Citation Nr: 25004445 Decision Date: 04/01/25 Archive Date: 04/01/25 DOCKET NO. 18-24 884 DATE: April 1, 2025 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder (MDD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from November 2002 to June 2003, January 2005 to December 2005, and October 2011 to June 2015. The Veteran appealed a July 2015 rating decision by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ). A Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) hearing was held in September 2021. A transcript is of record. Most recently, the Veteran appealed the October 2023 Board decision to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). In November 2024, the Court granted a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) and remanded this issue to the Board for further proceedings consistent with the JMR. The case has returned to the Board for further appellate proceedings. The Board finds remand is necessary to afford the Veteran another examination to assess the current nature and severity of her psychiatric disorder. In the last couple of years, the Veteran would claim and be granted entitlement to service connection for PTSD, with a combined rating that also changed the original depression rating to MDD. See August 2023 VA Form 20-0995; November 2023 rating decision. Entitlement to TDIU and SMC would be discontinued effective December 2023 and August 2025 respectfully. See December 2023 and April 2024 rating decisions. The Veteran would appear to start employment in January 2023 and also plan to quit her job in December 2023 due to mental health issues. See December 2023 VA Form 21-4140 and correspondence. The Veteran's representative also indicated worsening of symptoms. See February 2025 informal hearing presentation (IHP). Given such changes to the Veteran's disorder, circumstances, and noted worsening, the Board is unable to properly assess the current severity of her psychiatric disorder. As such, the case is remanded for an examination. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain any outstanding VA and/or private treatment records relevant to treatment the Veteran received for her PTSD with MDD that are not already of record. All obtained records should be associated with the evidentiary record. If any identified records are not obtainable (or none exist), the Veteran and her representative should be notified, and the record clearly documented. 2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected PTSD with MDD. The evidentiary record, including a copy of this remand, must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. (Continued on the next page) 3. After the above development has been completed to the extent possible, readjudicate the claim. If any benefit sought remains denied, provide the Veteran and her representative with a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC), and return the case to the Board, if otherwise in order. DONNIE R. HACHEY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Zheng, Andrew 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.