Citation Nr: 18142815 Decision Date: 10/16/18 Archive Date: 10/16/18 DOCKET NO. 16-19 121 DATE: October 16, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and mood disorder NOS with psychotic features is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1967 to June 1969. This case is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2013 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran contends that he developed PTSD while serving as a radio maintenance during his time in Vietnam. Notably, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has held that claims for service connection for PTSD encompass claims for service connection for all psychiatric disabilities raised by the claimant’s description of the claim, reported symptoms, and other information of record. See Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009). While the Veteran initially claimed service connection for PTSD in May 2011, the Board notes that the record includes reference to other psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder and mood disorder NOS with psychotic features. Thus, in accordance with Clemons, the Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal as a claim for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, and mood disorder NOS with psychotic features. The Board finds that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the appeal. The Veteran’s past of PTSD is unclear as the previous VA examinations and VA treatment records offer different opinions. Furthermore, it appears that the Veteran has only been evaluated under the DSM-IV criteria. When a veteran’s claim was certified for appeal before the Board after August 4, 2014, any diagnoses for psychiatric disabilities rendered for purposes of obtaining VA benefits must use the DSM-V criteria. 38 C.F.R. § 4.125(a) (2017), 80 Fed. Reg. 14308 (Mar. 19, 2015) (final). Here, the Veteran’s claim was certified for appeal before the Board on July 21, 2016. Therefore, the Board finds that the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) should afford the Veteran a new VA examination for his current psychiatric disability using the DSM-V criteria. 38 C.F.R. § 4.125(a) (2017), 80 Fed. Reg. 14308 (Mar. 19, 2015) (final). Accordingly, the matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. The AOJ should make reasonable attempts to obtain and associate all outstanding relevant psychiatric treatment records with the Veteran’s claims file. 2. Then, the AOJ should schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination using the DSM-V criteria to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s current psychiatric disability including but not limited to PTSD, major depressive disorder, and mood disorder NOS with psychotic features. The examiner should review the Veteran’s claims file in conjunction with the examination. (a.) First, the examiner should identify any current psychiatric disabilities using the DSM-V criteria. (b.) Next, the examiner must opine whether each of the Veteran’s currently diagnosed psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability) incurred during or caused by active service. The examiner should specifically address whether the in-service stressor related to his combat experience is sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD using DSM-V criteria. The examiner must provide a complete written rationale for any opinion offered. 3. After completing the above actions and any other necessary development, the claim must be readjudicated. If the claim remains denied, a Supplemental Statement of the Case must be provided to the Veteran. After the Veteran has had an adequate opportunity to respond, the appeal must be returned to the Board for appellate review. MICHAEL LANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD J. E. Kim, Associate Counsel