Citation Nr: 21002529 Decision Date: 01/13/21 Archive Date: 01/13/21 DOCKET NO. 14-09 048 DATE: January 13, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for hypertension, to include as due to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service in the U.S. Army from June 1987 to September 1987 and November 1990 to June 1991. The issue is on appeal from a July 2013 rating decision. The matters were previously before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) in July 2018 and July 2020. Service connection for hypertension, to include as due to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, is remanded. The Board finds that there has not been substantial compliance with the July 2020 remand instructions because the VA examination and medical opinion obtained in October 2020 are inadequate. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). In its last remand, the Board specifically instructed that the Veteran should be scheduled for a new VA examination with an appropriate mental health professional to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension. The examiner was then instructed to provide an opinion as to whether the Veteran’s hypertension was caused or aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The October 2020 VA examiner who evaluated the Veteran’s hypertension and provided an etiology opinion was a physician whose specialty is occupational medicine, not mental health. The Board notes that Exam Scheduling Requests issued by the RO prior to the October 2020 VA examination did not state that a mental health professional was needed for the Veteran’s claims. In light of this and the VA’s duty to assist the Veteran in development of his appeal, the Board must remand this matter to obtain an addendum examination by an appropriate mental health examiner as to the claimed disorder The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination with a mental health professional to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension. After a thorough review of the record, the examiner should determine whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e. 50 percent or greater) that the Veteran’s hypertension is caused by or aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. All opinions expressed should contain sufficient rationale. (Continued on next page) 2. Readjudicate the appeal. L. M. BARNARD Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board J. Lee 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.