Citation Nr: 18151408
Decision Date: 11/19/18	Archive Date: 11/16/18

DOCKET NO. 15-22 791A
DATE:	November 19, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for dysthymic disorder is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from September 1981 to September 2001.
In November 2018, the Veteran testified before the undersigned at a Board hearing held via videoconference.  
Entitlement to service connection for dysthymic disorder is remanded.
On November 2013 VA examination, the examiner noted, among others, the Veteran’s complaints of depression, lack of motivation, and sleep disturbances; and dysthymic disorder was diagnosed, however, the examiner did not provide an adequate etiology opinion.  
The Veteran was examined again in May 2015 VA examiner for his posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claim.  Although PTSD was not found, the examiner did diagnose dysthymic disorder.  The Board finds; however, the VA examiner did not provide an etiology opinion concerning the dysthymic disorder.
The Veteran contends that he experienced depression and anxiety in service, in part, because of a death of his supervisor, Sgt. W.P.   He also indicated that after his supervisor died in an accident he experienced non-stop harassment from fellow comrades.  The service treatment records document he was seen in 1994 for problems with relationships.  The Board finds; however, he was deemed psychiatrically normal on his February 2001 retirement examination. 
The Veteran should be provided a new examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric disability.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain any outstanding VA and/or private treatment records relevant to his psychiatric disability.
2.  Arrange for the Veteran to undergo an appropriate VA examination for his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.
The examiner should identify all the psychiatric disorders found to be present (as well as those noted in the treatment records during the pendency of the appeal) and then offer an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (at least a 50% or higher degree of probability) that any such disorder is related to the Veteran’s military service, to include the in-service complaints.
In offering any opinion, the examiner must consider the full record, to include the Veteran’s lay statements regarding the in-service incidents as well as his statements regarding continuity of psychiatric symptomatology since service.  
(Continued on the next page)
 
An adequate rationale/reason for any opinion offered should be provided.
 
H.M. WALKER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M. McPhaull, Counsel