Citation Nr: 18146747
Decision Date: 11/01/18	Archive Date: 11/01/18

DOCKET NO. 16-33 716
DATE:	November 1, 2018
REMANDED
Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from October 1967 to July 1971.  He is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. 
Service treatment records (STRs) indicate that the Veteran was diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality and passive aggressive personality in January 1968 during his active duty service.  He was hospitalized for approximately a week after making a manipulative suicidal gesture of ingesting pills to avoid a return to his ship.  It was recommended that the Veteran be administratively separated from the Navy.  However, this was not done, and the Veteran served for several years thereafter without further psychiatric treatment being shown in the service treatment records.  He was separated due to decreased personnel requirements and it was noted that reenlistment would require certain approvals.  The Veteran’s separation physical found everything, including psychiatric, to be normal.
Psychological examination reports in May 2011 provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in connection with the Veteran’s disability application suggest that he has symptoms of an affective disorder and alcohol addiction disorder.  The Veteran’s representative argued that a mental disorder that is superimposed upon a personality disorder may be service connected under 38 C.F.R.§ 4.127. It is not clear from the record whether the Veteran has a current mental disorder that either began during or was otherwise caused by his service.
Accordingly, the matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the etiology of any diagnosed mental disorder.  The examiner should: 
a)	Diagnose any current acquired psychiatric disability, explaining whether the Veteran has a personality disorder.  Why or why not?
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b)	Then, for any diagnosed mental disorder, opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater) that the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disability either began during or was otherwise caused by his military service.  In so doing, the examiner should explain whether the diagnosis of a personality disorder in service is felt to be the appropriate diagnosis.  Why or why not?
c)	Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater) that any acquired psychiatric disability was superimposed upon a personality disorder during the Veteran’s military service? Why or why not?
 
MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Q. Wang, Associate Counsel