Citation Nr: 21028820 Decision Date: 05/12/21 Archive Date: 05/12/21 DOCKET NO. 15-20 022A DATE: May 12, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 1970 to September 1973. This case is before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2014 rating decision from a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran testified at Board virtual hearings in June 2017 and again in February 2021. The transcripts of the hearings are associated with the record. The Board remanded this matter in July 2018 to obtain mental health treatment records from 2000 the Veteran referred to during a VA mental health evaluation intake. In March 2019, VA sent the Veteran VA Form 21-4142, Authorization to Disclose Information to the VA, and VA Form 21-4142a, General Release for Medical Provider Information to the VA, so that VA could obtain treatment records on the Veteran's behalf. In April 2019, VA received correspondence from the Veteran stating the facilities had closed or did not keep records as far back to when he was treated and informed VA to proceed with the case without the private treatment records. The Veteran contends he has posttraumatic stress disorder due to a parachuting incident in 1971 when his main parachute had a hole, and he had to use his reserve parachute, resulting in fear and a rough landing. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder requires medical evidence to diagnose the disorder per the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed. 2013) (DSM-5), medical evidence to establish a link medical between the current symptoms and an in-service stressor, and credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stress occurred. 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.304(f), 4.125(a). A November 2013 VA examiner evaluated the Veteran for a mental health disorder under the DSM-5 criteria, and the examiner found the Veteran did not meet the criteria for any disorder. Treatment records since the examination and testimony from the Veteran and his wife indicate continuing troubles with sleep and anxiety. Another VA examination to determine whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder under the DSM-5 criteria is needed to allow the Board to make a fully informed decision. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Obtain an opinion as to the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders. The necessity of an in-person examination is left to the examiner's discretion in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The examiner is to address the following: (a.) Identify all acquired psychiatric disorders that are currently present. If so, the examiner must identify the stressor(s) on which the diagnosis is based. (b.) For any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the disorder manifested during or is otherwise related to the Veteran's period of active service? A rationale should be provided for any opinion offered. R. FEINBERG Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Costa, 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.