Citation Nr: 18158351
Decision Date: 12/14/18	Archive Date: 12/14/18

DOCKET NO. 16-52 663
DATE:	December 14, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for depression is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
Introduction
The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from August 1984 to June 1987.  This case comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2015 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Wilmington, Delaware.  
The Veteran was not afforded a VA examination or medical opinion for his claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and depression.  The VA’s duty to assist includes providing a medical examination when it is necessary to make a decision on a claim.  McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006); see also 38 U.S.C. § 5103A (d); 38 C.F.R. § 3.159.  
In this case, the Veteran states that he slipped and fell directly on a grounding rod in service, which pierced his scrotum area.  He contends that his prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction originated from this fall.  The Veteran’s service treatment records note that in November 1985 he had testicular pain and swelling in his scrotum.  The Board finds the Veteran’s lay statements and service treatment records confirming scrotal pain in service are competent evidence that his current diagnoses may be associated with service.    
Additionally, although the Veteran’s service treatment records are silent as to any diagnosis or treatment for depression during his active duty service, the Board has considered the Veteran’s lay contentions of record and finds that there is competent evidence that his current diagnosis may be associated with service.  
As such, the Board finds it necessary to remand the issues on appeal to obtain VA examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s disabilities.  McLendon, 20 Vet. App. at 79.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Undertake appropriate development to obtain any relevant private medical records that are not in the claims file.  Attempt to obtain any records identified by the Veteran and associate these records with the claims file.
2.  Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities: erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and depression.  All pertinent evidence of record must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner.  Any indicated tests and studies should be performed.
The Veteran is competent to attest to factual matters of which he has first-hand knowledge.  If there is a medical basis to support or doubt the history provided by the Veteran, the examiner must provide a fully reasoned explanation. 
Following the examination and a review of the relevant records and lay statements, the examiner must state whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and/or depression were incurred in, was caused by, or is otherwise etiologically related to his military service.
A clear rationale for all opinions should be expressed, and a discussion of the facts and medical principles involved should be noted.
3.  After completing the above development, and after conducting any additional development deemed necessary, the RO should readjudicate the claims.  If they remain denied, the Veteran and his representative should be provided with a supplemental statement of the case and an opportunity to respond before the case is returned to the Board.

 
T. REYNOLDS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Dion Roberts, Law Clerk