Citation Nr: 19175603 Decision Date: 10/01/19 Archive Date: 10/01/19 DOCKET NO. 17-06 896 DATE: October 1, 2019 REMANDED Entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and schizoaffective disorder is remanded. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from May 1983 to August 1986. Remand is necessary to afford the Veteran a VA examination. The Veteran was afforded a VA mental disorders examination in August 2013. The examiner diagnosed the Veteran with schizoaffective disorder and opined that it “is less likely as not proximately due to or the result of total abdominal hysterectomy. [The Veteran] did not report mental health symptoms until several years after the hysterectomy. Initially, her mental health symptoms were determined to be due to bereavement and situational anxiety. Currently, her symptoms meet criteria for schizoaffective disorder which is most likely associated with her strong family history of mental illness and not related to the hysterectomy.” The Board finds that an addendum opinion is necessary. The VA examiner also noted diagnoses of bi-polar disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder NOS; however, no opinion was offered regarding whether these disorders were etiologically related to service or secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disorders. Additionally, no opinion was provided regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are aggravated by her service-connected disorder. The record reveals further addendum by way of records review in 2016. That reviewer essentially reiterates the opinion from the 2013 examiner. No clear diagnosis is rendered in that review, and while the aggravation question appears answered for the period between the reviews, it is not clear that the response covers the entire appeal period, or the period prior to the onset of the claim. Finally, VA outpatient treatment records also contain a historical diagnosis of somatoform pain disorder. No opinion on the etiology of this disorder, if clinically established, has been made. Therefore, an addendum examination is necessary prior to adjudication. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain and associate all outstanding, relevant treatment records with the claims file. The Veteran’s assistance in identifying and obtaining the records should be solicited as indicated. All attempts to obtain records should be documented in the claims folder. 2. Afford the Veteran a VA mental disorders examination. The examiner must provide all relevant diagnoses of acquired psychiatric disorders during the period on appeal, to include the most appropriate diagnosis for the current pathology. The examiner must review all evidence of record, including the Veteran's lay statements, and conduct any necessary testing. For each acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed, the examiner must provide an opinion regarding whether the disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, secondary to a service-connected disorder, and/or aggravated beyond its natural progression by a service-connected disorder. A complete and reasoned rationale based on the evidence of record and medical principles must be provided. MICHAEL D. LYON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Shana Z. Siesser, Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.