Citation Nr: 21004245 Decision Date: 01/26/21 Archive Date: 01/26/21 DOCKET NO. 17-49 936 DATE: January 26, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression disorder is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from May 1981 to December 1982. The Veteran had a hearing via teleconference before the undersigned Veterans’ Law Judge in July 2020. A transcript of that hearing is of record. The Board acknowledges that the Veteran filed a claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder. However, a service connection claim which describes only one particular psychiatric disorder should not necessarily be limited to that disorder. Rather, as reflected herein, VA should consider the claim as one for any psychiatric disability that may reasonably be encompassed by evidence of record. Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009). The Veteran withdrew his claim for entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer prior to this decision. See 38 C.F.R. § 20.204.  1. Entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded The Veteran’s claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder needs to be remanded for further development. At his hearing, the Veteran testified that he has spent time incarcerated, including time shortly after leaving service, where he was treated his psychiatric disorder during this time. It does not appear that these records are of record, and such records are pertinent to the Veteran’s claim – specifically, regarding the Veteran’s claim of experiencing symptoms since service. The Secretary’s duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence is set forth, by regulation, at 38 C.F.R. § 3.159 (c). This duty may include obtaining records and providing a medical examination. See Id. The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) recognizes that incarcerated veterans “are entitled to the same care and consideration given to their fellow veterans.” Bolton v. Brown, 8 Vet. App. 185, 191 (1995) (quoting Wood v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 190, 193 (1991)). The Court has cautioned “those who adjudicate claims of incarcerated veterans to be certain that they tailor their assistance to the peculiar circumstances of confinement.” Id. Therefore, the Board must exercise best efforts to obtain the Veteran’s prison medical records, particularly those related to mental health treatment. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. The RO should make all reasonable efforts to obtain all medical records from any facility where the Veteran spent time incarcerated. The RO should also obtain any new treatment records from any VA treatment facility. The Veteran should also have the opportunity to submit any medical evidence he desires, including new or current private treatment records. 2. The RO should also complete any additional development deemed necessary based on the receipt of new evidence, to include any VA examinations. B.T. KNOPE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board D. Billinger, Associate Counsel