Citation Nr: 18159227
Decision Date: 12/18/18	Archive Date: 12/18/18

DOCKET NO. 15-04 877
DATE:	December 18, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from January 1980 to April 1980. 
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2011 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is remanded.
The Veteran contends that he has a psychiatric disorder that was incurred in service.  During his July 2018 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that although he started receiving treatment for his psychiatric disorder in the 1990s, he first experienced psychiatric symptoms of auditory hallucinations and violent episodes while in basic training.  He stated that he assaulted fellow soldiers and broke their ribs and ran away.  Service treatment records do not show any psychiatric treatment relating to the incident but he was soon discharged from military service with an honorable discharge.
The medical evidence of record shows a current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, as well as history of schizophrenia, paranoid type, in the 1990s.  Specifically, an April 2008 VA mental health assessment note stated that the Veteran’s long history of mental illness with first recognizable psychotic symptoms appearing while in the military was consistent with a primary diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.  An October 2011 VA mental health consultation report noted that the Veteran had schizoaffective disorder and long history of mental illness with first recognizable psychotic symptoms appearing when in the military in 1980.  
The Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder.  Given the lay contentions and the VA treatment records which contain a current diagnosis, the Board finds that a VA examination is required upon remand.  McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).
The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:
1. Obtain any updated VA treatment notes not currently of record.  All efforts to obtain records must be documented in the claims folder. 
2. Schedule the Veteran for an acquired psychiatric examination.  The claims file and a copy of this remand must be made available to the examiner for review.  After examining the Veteran and reviewing the record, the examiner is asked to (a) identify all current psychiatric diagnoses; and (b) for each diagnosed psychiatric disability, indicate whether it is at least as likely as not (probability of 50 percent or greater) that the disability had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.  
If the criteria for a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder are met, state whether the prodromal period for such disorder as likely as not had its onset during the Veteran’s period of active service and indicate whether it is at least as likely as not (probability of 50 percent or more) that the psychotic disorder was present within one year after separation of service. 
In providing this opinion, the examiner must discuss the Veteran’s documented medical history and assertions that he exhibited symptoms in service that were an early manifestation of schizophrenia or any other psychiatric disorder.  
All opinions should be accompanied by a clear rationale.
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3. After completing the above actions and any other necessary development, readjudicate the Veteran’s claim.  If the benefit on appeal remains denied, a supplemental statement of the case must be provided to the Veteran and his representative.  After the Veteran and his representative have had an adequate opportunity to respond, the appeal must be returned to the Board for appellate review.
 
L. CHU
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M. J. In, Counsel