Citation Nr: 18153355
Decision Date: 11/27/18	Archive Date: 11/27/18

DOCKET NO. 16-34 471
DATE:	November 27, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for anxiety disorder is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from April 1972 to June 1974.
This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2013 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Veteran was notified of his right to a personal hearing before the Board, but the Veteran declined.
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder is remanded.
The Veteran contends that he is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder.  The Veteran was provided a VA examination in September 2013, and the examiner diagnosed the Veteran with an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) and opined that the Veteran’s condition was less likely than not caused by a claimed personal trauma.  Nevertheless, the examiner also identified multiple incidents of erratic behavior that occurred during the Veteran’s period of service and ultimately led to his discharge from service, and the examiner did not opine whether a medical nexus exists between those incidents and a current diagnosis.  Once VA undertakes to provide the Veteran with a VA examination, it must provide the Veteran with an adequate one, and an adequate examination is sufficiently detailed to ensure that the Board’s evaluation is fully formed.  Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007).  Therefore, this matter must be remanded for a new VA examination indicating whether or not a medical nexus exists between a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and any in-service incurrence to include the erratic behavior that led to the Veteran’s separation from service.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Provide the Veteran with a VA psychiatric examination with an appropriate expert to determine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or more) that a medical nexus exists between any diagnosed psychiatric disorder and an in-service incurrence to include the erratic behavior that led to the Veteran’s discharge from service.  The examiner is requested to provide a thorough rationale for any conclusion reached.
2. Thereafter, readjudicate the claims on appeal.  If the benefits sought are not granted, provide the Veteran with a supplemental statement of the case and allow an appropriate opportunity to respond thereto before returning the case to the Board, if in order.
The Veteran has the right to submit additional evidence and argument on the matters the Board has remanded.  Kutscherousky v. West, 12 Vet. App. 369 (1999).
These claims must be afforded expeditious treatment.  The law requires that all claims that are remanded by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for additional development or other appropriate action must be handled in an expeditious manner.  38 U.S.C. §§ 5109B, 7112.
 
K. A. KENNERLY
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Seaton, David R. Seaton