Citation Nr: 18158800 Decision Date: 12/18/18 Archive Date: 12/17/18 DOCKET NO. 15-43 354 DATE: December 18, 2018 ORDER Entitlement to service connection an acquired psychiatric disorder, include major depressive disorder, is remanded. Entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from November 1988 to December 1989. This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals on appeal from a July 2014 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Entitlement to service connection an acquired psychiatric disorder, include major depressive disorder, is remanded. The Veteran’s service treatment record (STR) shows the Veteran was diagnosed with adjustment disorder with depressed mood while in service. Specifically, in July 1989, the Veteran reported feeling depressed after attempting suicide. Post-service medical records show treatment for depression. Therefore, on remand, the Veteran should be afforded an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 81-83 (2006). Entitlement to TDIU is remanded. With regard to the issue of entitlement to TDIU, the Board finds it is inextricably intertwined with the above service connection because the ultimate resolution of the major depression disorder claim could impact the Board’s assessment of the Veteran’s occupational impairment. See Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 180 (1991), overruled on other grounds by Tyrues v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 166 (2009). As such, this claim must be held in abeyance until such time the above service connection claim is resolved. Accordingly, the claim is REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of all current psychiatric disorders. The Veteran’s claims folder, including a copy of this remand, must be made available to the examiner. All diagnostic testing deemed to be necessary by the examiner should be accomplished. After examination of the Veteran and a review of the claims file, the examiner should do the following: (a.) The examiner should list all psychiatric disabilities diagnosed on examination. (b.) For any psychiatric disability diagnosed on examination, the examiner should opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e., a 50 percent probability or greater) that such disorder had its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty. (c.) The examiner should specifically comment on the Veteran’s 1989 suicide attempt, her in-service treatment for depression, and records indicating recurrent treatment for depressive symptoms in the intervening years. A clear rationale for all opinions must be provided and a discussion of the facts and medical principles involved would be of considerable assistance to the Board. 2. After completing the above, readjudicate the claims. If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, provide an additional supplemental statement of the case to the Veteran, and return the appeal to the Board for appellate review, after the Veteran and her representative have had an adequate opportunity to respond. L. Chu Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Mahlet Makonnen, Law Clerk