Citation Nr: 21007422 Decision Date: 02/09/21 Archive Date: 02/09/21 DOCKET NO. 19-01 782 DATE: February 9, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1984 to April 1988. He contends that he developed a psychiatric disability as a result of his experiences during active duty service. VA treatment records note that he has been variously diagnosed with PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran was last afforded a VA examination in July 2020 in connection with the issue on appeal. While he was diagnosed with PTSD, the reported stressors noted in the examination report have not been verified. Subsequently, in December 2020, VA treatment records show the Veteran was admitted and treated for psychiatric symptoms variously diagnosed as major depressive disorder and bipolar paranoid disorder. Remand is needed to verify the Veteran’s reported in-service stressors. The Veteran should then be scheduled for a new VA examination to reconcile any discrepancies with respect to the psychiatric diagnoses in the record and to obtain an examiner’s opinion on the etiology of all diagnosed psychiatric conditions. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Ask the Veteran to provide a comprehensive statement containing as much detail as possible regarding his claimed stressors for PTSD. Then, undertake additional efforts to attempt to verify the Veteran’s stressors based on his response. 2. After completion of the foregoing, schedule the Veteran for an examination (or telehealth interview, review of the record, etc., if an in-person examination is not feasible) with an appropriate clinician to determine the current nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability. Copies of all pertinent records should be made available to the examiner for review. (a) Prior to the examination, specify for the examiner the stressor or stressors that it is determined are established by the record, and the examiner must be instructed that only those events may be considered for the purpose of determining whether the Veteran was exposed to one or more stressors in service. (b) The examiner should conduct the examination with consideration of the current diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The examination report should include a detailed account of all pathology present. Any further indicated special studies, including psychological studies, should be accomplished. (c) The examiner must specifically identify any diagnosed psychiatric disability. (d) If a diagnosis of PTSD is appropriate, the examiner should specify (1) whether each alleged stressor found to be established by the evidence of record was sufficient to produce PTSD; (2) whether the remaining diagnostic criteria to support the diagnosis of PTSD have been satisfied; and (3) whether there is a link between the current symptomatology and one or more of the in-service stressors found to be established by the record by the RO and found to be sufficient to produce PTSD by the examiner. (e) If the examination results in a psychiatric diagnosis other than PTSD, the examiner should offer an opinion as to the etiology of the non-PTSD psychiatric disorder, to include whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently demonstrated psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is related to the Veteran’s military service, including the reported stressors in service. In rendering the opinions, the examiner must consider and comment reports of the Veteran. A complete rationale should be given for all opinions and conclusions expressed. M. E. Larkin Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Jack S. Komperda, 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.