Citation Nr: 18106948
Decision Date: 06/01/18	Archive Date: 05/31/18

DOCKET NO. 15-17 120
DATE:	June 1, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from May 1969 to December 1971 and November 1990 to August 1991. 
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2014 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

1. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.
The Veteran filed the instant claim for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder on February 11, 2013. Following the filing of the claim, the Veteran sought psychiatric care on February 19, 2013, which resulted in a diagnosis of anxiety disorder, related to exposure to war. 
The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in February 2013. In requesting the examination, the RO noted the Veteran’s diagnosis for anxiety disorder. The examiner diagnosed the Veteran with substance-induced depressive disorder, but did not render an opinion as to the Veteran’s diagnosed anxiety disorder. 
The Veteran was also afforded a VA examination in November 2016 in connection with a claim for posttraumatic stress disorder that is not currently in appellate status. The examiner noted the Veteran’s diagnosis of anxiety disorder from the February 2013 VA treatment records. At the time of the examination, the Veteran was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The examiner rendered an opinion as to the Veteran’s depressive disorder, but did not render an opinion as to the Veteran’s diagnosed anxiety disorder.
Here, both examiners acknowledged the diagnosis of record for an anxiety disorder, but neither examiner discussed such evidence in rendering the diagnostic opinion. Thus, it remains unclear whether the Veteran’s anxiety disorder was a separate psychiatric disorder during the appeal period and whether it is related to service. Consequently, the Board finds that a remand is required in order to obtain an addendum opinion.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain an addendum opinion from the November 2016 examiner regarding whether the Veteran’s anxiety disorder is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) related to the Veteran’s active duty service. In so doing, the examiner must address the diagnosis of record dated February 2013.
 
Should the examiner advise the requested opinion cannot be rendered without an examination of the Veteran, the AOJ shall arrange the examination.

 
K. J. ALIBRANDO
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Marsh II, Associate Counsel