Citation Nr: 18154884
Decision Date: 11/30/18	Archive Date: 11/30/18

DOCKET NO. 16-14 472
DATE:	November 30, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from September 1981 to September 1985.
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression
Remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's depression.  
The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in January 2016.  The examiner noted that she was seen for complaints of depression during service in 1982 and the Veteran had a telephone consultation in June 1985 at which she reported fatigue and insomnia.  The record shows they discussed depression and the Veteran declined anti-depressants. The Veteran was apparently not seen again for depression until 1995.
The examiner opined that the Veteran's depression was “most likely related to the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that she suffered at the hands of her second husband” and was less likely than not due to her miliary service.  However, the Board notes that the Veteran was married to this husband during service, in May 1985 and had the telephone consultation regarding fatigue and depressive symptoms in June 1985.  Therefore, remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms began during service.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain all relevant treatment records and associate them with the claims file.
2. The Veteran is hereby advised that she may submit lay statements of her own or from her family or friends regarding the onset of the abuse and/or depression symptoms.  
3. Return the claims file to the January 2016 VA examiner, or if unavailable, a similarly situated examiner.  The claims file must be made available to and reviewed by the medical professional designated to provide the requested opinion.  If an additional examination or interview with the Veteran is necessary to form an opinion, it shall be conducted. 
After a review of the evidence of record, to include consideration of medical evidence, as well as the Veteran’s lay statements, the medical professional should state whether the Veteran's depression had its onset during or as a result of service, given the Veteran's call for medical attention regarding symptoms of depression shortly after her marriage and the examiner’s opinion that her depression is likely a result of the abuse she endured during her marriage while in service. If the episode in-service is deemed to have been acute, and no the early onset of a chronic disorder, that too should be set out.
A complete rationale for all opinions must be provided. If the medical professional is unable to provide any opinion without resorting to speculation, he or she must provide an explanation for that finding 
 
MICHAEL D. LYON
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	S. Siesser, Counsel