Citation Nr: 21076381
Decision Date: 12/23/21	Archive Date: 12/23/21

DOCKET NO. 17-52 590
DATE: December 23, 2021

REMANDED

The issue of an increased initial rating since June 1, 2016, for malaria and its residuals is remanded.

The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served in the United States Marine Corps from January 1976 to March 1980.

1. The issue of an increased initial rating since June 1, 2016, for malaria and its residuals is remanded.

2. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Reasons for the remand:

Remand of the issue of an increased initial rating for malaria and its residuals is necessary to obtain additional VA examinations. A June 2020 VA Infectious Diseases states that the Veteran had residuals of malaria of fatigue, night sweats, day sweats, vomiting, nausea, and reflux. Examinations have not been completed to determine the severity of the fatigue, night sweats, and day sweats. Therefore, the Board is unable to rate the Veteran's disorder and remand is necessary.

Remand of the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is necessary to obtain a new VA medical opinion. The July 2020 examiner only provided an opinion as to the disorder diagnosed at that time, despite other diagnoses in the record. Additionally, she indicated that in-service experiences were one source of the Veteran's trauma but concluded that his current disorder was caused by childhood trauma. She did not provide any rationale for this conclusion and, therefore, the opinion is inadequate.

2. Conduct all necessary VA examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's fatigue, day sweats, and night sweats. All indicated tests and studies should be accomplished and the findings reported in detail.

3. Obtain a VA medical opinion as to the issue of the nature and etiology of each identified acquired psychiatric disorder FROM A PSYCHOLOGIST OR PSYCHIATRIST WHO HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED AN OPINION IN THIS CASE. If necessary to respond to the inquiries below, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. All indicated tests and studies should be accomplished and the findings reported in detail. 

All relevant medical records must be made available to the examiner for review of pertinent documents. The examination report should specifically state that such a review was conducted. The examiner must provide a comprehensive explanation for all opinions provided.

The examiner should address the following:

(a.) Identify each acquired psychiatric disorder which the Veteran currently has or has had at any time since he filed his claim of service connection.

(b.) Provide an opinion as to whether each identified acquired psychiatric disorder was caused or partially caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service.

In providing the opinion, the examiner must expressly discuss the Veteran's reports of in service trauma.

 

 

Jacqueline E. Miller

Acting Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	C. Ivan Franklin

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.