Citation Nr: 21066829 Decision Date: 11/02/21 Archive Date: 11/02/21 DOCKET NO. 15-40 740 DATE: November 2, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from February to April 1977. The case is on appeal from an October 2014 rating decision. Most recently, in a June 2021 decision, the Board remanded the claim for further development. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran contends that his psychiatric disorder is a result of his experiences and treatment while in service. While service treatment records (STRs) are silent for treatment or complaints of a psychiatric condition, post-service treatment records demonstrate he was diagnosed with alcohol abuse disorder and cocaine abuse. Upon remand, he was afforded a VA examination in July 2021. The examiner concluded that while the Veteran has other mental disorders, his symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-5 criteria. During the examination, the examiner found the Veteran demonstrated the following symptoms: depressed mood; anxiety; chronic sleep impairment; mild memory loss, such as forgetting names, directions, or recent events; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or work-like settings; inability to establish and maintain effective relationships; and, suicidal ideation. While the examiner noted the aforementioned symptoms, it is clear the examiner did not properly consider the Veteran's March 2014 and May 2021 statements regarding his in-service stressors, where he described his experience with a live fire exercise and noted that he also suffers from panic attacks as a result of in-service experiences, respectively. The Board, therefore, finds the VA examination and medical opinion inadequate, and remand is warranted for a new opinion. In light of the remand, updated VA treatment records should be obtained. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain updated VA treatment records dated since July 2021. 2. After completing the records development indicated above, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination (or telehealth interview, review of the record, etc. if an in-person examination is not feasible) by an appropriate medical professional to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder (MDD). All necessary tests should be conducted. If a psychiatric condition is diagnosed, the examiner must opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to or had its onset in service. If the Veteran has a personality disorder, indicate whether he has an acquired psychiatric disorder that is superimposed on the personality disorder because of his time in service. (Continued on the next page) Consideration should be given to the Veteran's lay statements, in particular his March 2014 and May 2021 stressor statements. A complete rationale for all opinions expressed should be provided. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Becton, Associate 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.