Citation Nr: 21065379 Decision Date: 10/26/21 Archive Date: 10/26/21 DOCKET NO. 18-11 288 DATE: October 26, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1997 to January 2005. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2014 rating decision by a Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This matter was remanded in March 2015 and February 2016. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD is remanded. The RO denied service connection for PTSD. In Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009), the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) held that, in determining the scope of a claim, the Board must consider the claimant's description of the claim; symptoms described; and the information submitted or developed in support of the claim. In light of the Court's decision in Clemons, and in light of the fact that the Veteran has also shown signs of depressive disorder and stress and adjustment reaction, the Board has expanded the issue to include any psychiatric disability. The issue is as stated on the title page. At his June 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that he was a casualty notification officer (responsible for notifying family members of the death of a serviceman/servicewoman). He submitted lay statements from fellow soldiers J.E.S. and R.J.M. to substantiate his testimony. The Veteran testified that in addition to notifying the families, his duties included continued interaction with the family (for up to six months) resolving paperwork and other funeral details. Military personnel records confirm that one of his duties was to coordinate and participate in funeral details and color guards. More information is needed to allow the Board to make a fully-informed decision. It is unclear whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD under the DSM-5., and it is unclear whether the Veteran's reported psychiatric symptoms and diagnosed disorders (regardless of how they are diagnosed) are due to service. Consequently, a VA examination is warranted. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any 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 (in this case, his reported duties as a casualty notification officer). 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, to include the Veteran's duties as a casualty notification officer. (Continued on the next page) A rationale must be provided for the opinion. D. JOHNSON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Prem, 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.