Citation Nr: 18149482 Decision Date: 11/09/18 Archive Date: 11/09/18 DOCKET NO. 17-16 776 DATE: November 9, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include persistent depressive disorder (major depression), is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1983 to August 1987. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a December 2014 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded. The Veteran contends that his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include persistent depressive disorder (major depression), began in or was caused by an event or experience in service. Specifically, the Veteran asserts that he was diagnosed with and treated for a mental health condition while in service. The Veteran’s assertion is corroborated in his service treatment records, which indicate that he was admitted to a psychiatric ward while stationed in Germany in 1987, and was diagnosed with adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct (per DSM-3); the records also reflect that the onset of the Veteran’s mental health conditions may have been due, in part, to the untimely death of the Veteran’s mother and the loss of his friend. 06/04/2018, STR-Medical, page 19. The Veteran was afforded a VA examination October 2014, during which the Veteran was diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder (major depression), alcohol use disorder, and substance use disorder. The examiner noted that the Veteran had been hospitalized for 30 days while in service in 1986 due to being depressed and attempting suicide, and also noted that the Veteran had another episode of depression and alcoholism while in service in 1987. The examiner opined that the Veterans’ claimed condition was less likely than not related to a claimed in-service injury, event, or illness. However, in providing the rational for the medical opinion, the examiner merely noted that the Veteran’s mental health problems are not likely related to his problems with alcohol, as the Veteran’s alcohol use was a significant problem prior to entering service. Upon review of the October 2014 examination, the Board finds the medical opinion to be incomplete, as it does not specifically provide an opinion as to whether the Veteran’s current diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to service. The Board finds that the Veteran should be afforded another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, to include an opinion on whether any or all of the claimed psychiatric disorders are at least as likely as not related to service. This matter is REMANDED for the following actions: Schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine the nature and etiology of all current acquired psychiatric disorder. The examiner is asked to review the claims file to become familiar with the relevant medical history related to the Veteran’s psychiatric disorders.   The examiner is to: (a.) Identify all current psychiatric diagnoses, including personality disorders. (b.) For each current psychiatric disorder, is it at least as likely as not (probability of 50 percent or more) related to an event, disease, or injury in service? ***Note: The Veteran’s claimed psychiatric disorders on appeal includes persistent depressive disorder (major depression). The examiner is asked to provide a comprehensive rationale for any opinion offered. The examiner must consider lay reports from the Veteran along with pertinent medical evidence, including STRS, and any medical literature submitted by him. If the examiner cannot offer an opinion without resort to speculation, he or she should explain why and state what additional evidence, if any, would be required to offer an opinion. Paul Sorisio Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD D. Han, Associate Counsel