Citation Nr: 18140123
Decision Date: 10/02/18	Archive Date: 10/02/18

DOCKET NO. 16-12 360
DATE:	October 2, 2018
REMANDED
The issue of entitlement for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from April 2006 through November 2008.
This case is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (the Board) on appeal from a March 2015 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The Veteran contends that his currently diagnosed depression was caused or aggravated his active service.  
The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder because no VA examiner has addressed whether the Veteran’s current disability is related to or aggravated by an in-service injury, event, or disease.
A review of the Veteran’s post-service treatment records provides evidence of a current disability.  These records include symptomology reports of suicidal ideation, depressed moods, and loss of interest.  Resultantly, a VA mental health doctor diagnosed the Veteran with depressive disorder and restarted antidepressants that were originally prescribed in-service. 
The Veteran’s service treatment records show an inpatient admission due to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.  At this encounter, the Veteran reported intense guilt because he had not deployed to protect a fellow servicemember—referencing an individual who committed suicide.  The Veteran has alleged on appeal that his depression was caused by his experiences in service. 
The record shows a current disability and an in-service injury, but the Veteran was not afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his depression.  The Board finds that a VA medical opinion is warranted to address the Veteran’s assertion that his current depression results from an in-service injury.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression.  
For any acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed during the appeal period, the examiner is asked to provide opinions to the following:
(i)	Is it clear and unmistakable that his acquired psychiatric disorder preexisted service? 
(ii)	If this answer is that it preexisted service, then is there clear and unmistakable (obvious or manifest) evidence that such preexisting disability DID NOT increase in severity beyond the natural progression of the disability during the Veteran’s period of active service (i.e., the disorder was NOT aggravated by service)?
(iii)	If the answer to either (i) or (ii) above is “no,” then is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater) that the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder is related to an event, injury, or disease incurred in service?
The examiner is asked to provide a complete rationale for any opinions given.  
 
H.M. WALKER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	N.B. Mmeje, Associate Counsel