Citation Nr: 20045044 Decision Date: 07/07/20 Archive Date: 07/07/20 DOCKET NO. 14-12 315 DATE: July 7, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1979 to March 1989. In April 2017, a videoconference hearing was held before the undersigned. A transcript of the hearing is associated with the Veteran’s claims file. The Veteran’s claim for service connection for PTSD was remanded by the Board in August 2017 and June 2019 for further development of the evidence. Specifically, addendum opinions were requested because the rationale utilized for the opinions that were provided were based on inaccurate information. Review of the addendum opinions that were obtained relied on the same information. Therefore, while the Board regrets the delay involved in remanding this claim again, it is also of the opinion that the case must be returned for a corrected opinion. See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268, 271 (1998) Specifically, the July 2019 VA examiner’s rationale explaining the conclusion that the Veteran’s PTSD was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness was essentially identical to the inaccurate information utilized by the examiner in the opinions that were found inadequate by the Board. For example, the examiner stated the letter of indebtedness from 1994 indicated that the Veteran defaulted on her loan in February 1989, when she was still in service. The case of the default appears to be a result of domestic abuse. The examiner also stated that the Veteran reported she was divorced in 1990, but the record shows that the Veteran was actually divorced in 2001. As the Board cannot make a determination regarding whether the claimed stressor is sufficient to cause the Veteran’s PTSD, another examination is necessary. See Cohen v. Brown, 10 Vet. App. 128, 138 (1997). The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If the Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD, the examiner must explain how the diagnostic criteria are met and opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to a verified in-service stressor. The examiner must opine whether the evidence of record, including the Veteran’s lay statements/hearing testimony, additional lay statements in the record from the Veteran’s friend and sister, and the Veteran’s service records, corroborate the claim that a personal assault occurred in service (38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5)). If the examiner finds that evidence indicates that a personal assault occurred during the Veteran’s active service, the examiner must opine whether any PTSD is at least as likely as not related to the in-service personal assault. (Continued on the next page)   If any other acquired psychiatric disorders are diagnosed, the examiner must opine whether each diagnosed disorder is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. A. ISHIZAWAR Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Joseph P. Gervasio 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.