Citation Nr: 20002070 Decision Date: 01/09/20 Archive Date: 01/09/20 DOCKET NO. 15-40 217 DATE: January 9, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active U.S. Army service from December 1979 to December 1982. This appeal comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from an August 2014 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at a Board hearing in October 2019. Additional development is warranted before the Board will decide the claim on appeal. During the Board hearing, the Veteran asserted that the examination provided by VA was inadequate. He stated that the examiner only asked him four or five questions. Further, the examiner did not ask him anything about service, and instead focused on his current life situation. Finally, the examiner downplayed the significance of his in-service traumas and failed to address the Veteran’s substantial drug and alcohol use following service, which the Veteran argues was a form of self-medication to deal with his traumas. The Board notes that treatment records dated in 2004 indicate that the Veteran suffered from intrusive memories related to trauma during service. They further note that the Veteran received treatment in 1987 for substance abuse, and that when he maintained sobriety for the next five years, he had symptoms of prominent anxiety, anger, and emotional dysregulation. Based on the above, the Board finds that an additional VA examination is warranted. Finally, the Board notes that the record only contains treatment records dated through September 2015. Accordingly, all outstanding VA treatment records should be associated with the claims file prior to obtaining a new examination. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain all outstanding VA treatment records dated since September 2015 and associate them with the claims file. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, by an examiner who has not previously examined the Veteran or provided an opinion in the appeal, to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disability. The claims file must be made available to, and reviewed in its entirety by the examiner. After a thorough review of the record, including the October 2019 Board hearing transcript, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) that any diagnosed disability, to include depression, was caused or incurred by service, to include his conceded stressors. The examiner must comment on the Veteran’s substance abuse history and the Veteran’s contentions that he abused substances to help self-medicate. The rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided. 3. Then, readjudicate the appeal. If a decision is adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response. Then, return the case to the Board. Kristin Haddock Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Roya Bahrami 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.