http://www.va.gov/vetapp16/Files3/1621765.

txt
Citation Nr: 1621765
Decision Date: 05/31/16
DOCKET NO.
)
)

Archive Date: 06/08/16

08-25 443 ) DATE

On appeal from the

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Louis, Missouri
THE ISSUE

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, t

REPRESENTATION
Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD
T. Stephen Eckerman, Counsel

INTRODUCTION
The Veteran had active service from March 1966 to March 1969.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals

(Board) on appeal

In October 2014, the Board remanded the claim for additional development.

This appeal was processed using the VBMS and Virtual VA paperless claims pr
The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

VA wi

REMAND
The Veteran argues that he has PTSD as a result of his service.

He initial

In a subsequently received statement, he stated that during basic training

He has stated that he reported the abuse, but that it never got into his fi
The Veteran's service treatment records do not appear to show any relevant

As for the post-service medical evidence, it includes private reports, date

VA progress notes show that the Veteran reported a family history of depres

A statement from a VA social worker, R.B., dated in November 2011, shows th

A statement from a VA adult psychiatric mental health nurse/clinical nurse

As an initial matter, effective August 4, 2014, VA amended the portion of i

The Veteran is not currently shown to have received commendations or awards

In order to establish service connection for PTSD, the evidence of record m

4.125(a); a link, established by medical evidence, between current symp

There are special considerations for PTSD claims predicated on a personal a

Evidence of behavior changes following the claimed assault is one type of r

If a PTSD claim is based on an in-service personal assault, medical opinion

The Board finds that a remand is required.

In a statement, received in Jan

Furthermore, it does not appear that an attempt has been made to verify any

If one or more of the claimed stressors are verified, or if otherwise warra

The Veteran is advised that it is his responsibility to report for any exam
Accordingly, the case is REMANDED for the following action:
1.

Ask the Veteran to identify all VA and private health care providers wh

2.

Determine whether sufficient details have been provided to warrant an a

3.

If it is determined that sufficient details have been provided so as to

Specifically, prepare a letter asking the U.S. Army and Joint Services Reco
4.

If it is determined that sufficient details have not been provided to w

5.

If, and only if, one or more claimed stressors is/are verified, or if o

The requested opinion requires a finding regarding the Veteran's overall cr

a)

If PTSD is found, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether

b)

If an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is found, the exami

c)

A detailed review of the records in this case is required.

d)

The term "at least as likely as not" does not mean within the realm of

6.

This is a complex case.

The critica

To help avoid future remand, ensure that all r

7.

Readjudicate the claim.

If the benefits sought are not granted, the Ve

The appellant has the right to submit additional evidence and argument on t
_________________________________________________
JOHN J. CROWLEY
Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans' Appeals

Under 38 U.S.C.A. 7252 (West 2014), only a decision of the Board of Vete