Citation Nr: 21006729 Decision Date: 02/05/21 Archive Date: 02/05/21 DOCKET NO. 18-08 053 DATE: February 5, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder with narcissistic traits, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the Navy from January 1965 to July 1993. These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2014 rating decision by the Huntington, West Virginia, Regional Office (RO) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veteran testified at a December 2020 videoconference hearing held before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). A transcript of the hearing is associated with the claims file. The Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for depression with narcissistic traits has been recharacterized to broadly reflect that the scope of the claim includes any acquired psychiatric disorder, pursuant to Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1, 5 (2009). The Board finds that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate this claim. A review of the record reveals no attempt has been made to obtain private medical records from Dr. GBS, who provided a medical opinion dated February 25, 2014. Dr. GBS indicated that the Veteran was being treated for depression. In a subsequent 2015 statement, the Veteran again identified Dr. GBS and indicated ongoing treatment records were available. On remand, these records should be obtained and associated with the file. The Veteran underwent a VA mental disorders examination in April 2015. The VA examiner determined that although the Veteran met the criteria for a diagnosis of depression, there was no evidence that it was related to his military service. The VA examiner determined that the symptoms the Veteran was treated for in service were not consistent with his current mental health symptoms and that there was no evidence that his symptoms were continuous or the same entity since military service. It is unclear why major depression in service in August 1989 is not manifested the same way as current depression. On remand, a new VA examination and VA opinion should be provided to establish the current nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Take appropriate steps to obtain complete treatment records from private medical providers, including but not limited to Dr. GBS, to include securing any necessary releases from the Veteran. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA mental disorders examination. The claims folder must be reviewed in conjunction with the examination. The examiner should identify all current psychiatric disorders. Major Depressive Disorder, Depression and Narcissistic traits must be specifically addressed. The examiner must opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by military service. Any relationship to the major depressive disorder diagnosed in service should be explicitly addressed. A complete rationale for any opinions expressed should be set forth. 3. Upon completion of the above, readjudicate the remanded issue. If the benefit sought remains denied, the Veteran should be provided with a supplemental statement of the case. The case should then be returned to the Board for appellate review if otherwise in order. WILLIAM H. DONNELLY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. M. Lunger, 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.