Citation Nr: 18140617
Decision Date: 10/03/18	Archive Date: 10/03/18

DOCKET NO. 16-26 679
DATE:	October 3, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from November 1965 to September 1967.  
This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of an October 2014 rating decision of the Providence, Rhode Island, Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 
The Board has broadened the claim of service connection for depression considering the evidence of record.  The scope of a mental health disability claim includes any mental disability that may reasonably be encompassed by the claimant’s description of the claim, symptoms, and the other recorded information.  See Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009). 
1. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.
The Veteran has claimed service connection of depression secondary to service-connected left testicle removal and left inguinal hernia repair with scar.
The Veteran appeared for a VA examination in October 2014, in which no mental disorder was found.  VA treatment records note that in October 2017, and at other times, the Veteran has a DSM V Axis I diagnosis of mood disorder due to GMC (general medical condition).  Considering this evidence of record which reflects current diagnosis potentially related to service-connected disabilities, an additional VA examination is required.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability diagnosed from August 2014 to present.  The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, to include in-service diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality.
Please opine whether it is at least as likely as not (1) proximately due to service-connected disability, or (2) aggravated beyond its natural progression by service-connected disability, to include service-connected left testicle removal and left inguinal hernia repair with scar.
Please discuss VA treatment records which note that in October 2017, and at other times, the Veteran has a DSM V Axis I diagnosis of mood disorder due to GMC.
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2. After the above is complete, readjudicate the Veteran’s claim.  If a complete grant of the benefits requested is not granted, issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to the Veteran and his representative to afford them the opportunity to respond before the case is returned to the Board.
 
KRISTI L. GUNN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	K. M. Georgiev