Citation Nr: 21029988 Decision Date: 05/17/21 Archive Date: 05/17/21 DOCKET NO. 17-14 650 DATE: May 17, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD), is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the Navy from March 1982 to April 1983. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2015 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office. In February 2021, the Veteran testified at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of the hearing has been associated with the evidentiary claims file. Following a review of the Veteran's claims file, the Board finds that further development is required prior to the adjudication of the claim on appeal. The Veteran contends his acquired psychiatric disability is the result of his military service. He specifically testified that he was involved in a helicopter crash during crash-landing training while in San Diego for search and rescue training. See BVA Hearing Transcript, at 5, 7-8. He reported that he sustained back and facial injuries and was carried from the scene on a stretcher, as were the pilots and other crew, but there were no casualties. The Veteran also reported that everything about the Navy was stressful and hitting his head in the crash marked a change in his personality; prior to the crash-landing, it was crystal clear what he wanted to do but after everything became blurry. The Veteran testified that he was getting into trouble, struggled with alcohol and anger issues, avoided crowds and loud noises, and suffered from daily nightmares. The RO attempted to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors by contacting the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System (DPRIS) in March 2014. The RO received a response from the DPRIS indicating that it was unable to locate information regarding the stressor incident. Further attempts to corroborate the stressor incident from the Naval Safety Center also resulted in a negative response in May 2014 and November 2014. Review of the evidence of record shows that the Veteran has a DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD, MDD, and alcohol use disorder. See e.g., March 24, 2015 Brockton VA Medical Center treatment record. PTSD criterion A stressors were identified as childhood physical abuse, violent physical assault in adulthood, a helicopter training accident in the military, and several motor vehicle accidents. The Veteran was also noted to have depressive symptoms, and his responses to psychological testing suggested severe major depression. Id. However, the Board notes the record is unclear as to which adult stressors occurred during service, aside from the unverified helicopter incident. Moreover, as the record indicates childhood abuse as a stressor, a medical opinion is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability. As a result, the Board finds that further development is needed so that a medical professional can review the entire medical record, consider a complete history, and provide informed opinions as to the relationship between any current acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and service. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain relevant outstanding VA treatment records related to treatment of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination with an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD. The record, to include a copy of this Remand must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. The report should note the review was performed. Any indicated evaluations, studies, and tests should be conducted. Thereafter, the examiner should: (a.) Identify all of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders that meet, or have met, the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria at any time since October 31, 2013, to include PTSD and MDD. (b.) If the examiner finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD or depression at any time during the pendency of his appeal, he or she should reconcile such finding with his treatment records reflecting such diagnoses. See e.g., March 24, 2015 Brockton VA Medical Center treatment record. (c.) If a diagnosis of PTSD is rendered, the examiner should offer an opinion as to whether PTSD at least as likely as not (i.e., a 50 percent or greater probability) (1) had its onset in service or (2) is causally or etiologically related to service a stressful incident during active military service. The examiner is advised that he or she should not provide a speculative opinion on an unverified stressor, specifically the helicopter crash-landing that the Veteran reported occurred during training. (d.) For each currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include MDD, the examiner should offer an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (probability of 50 percent or greater) that any such disorder had its onset during active service or is etiologically related to the Veteran's active duty service. (e.) The supporting rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided. The examiner should consider and address the Veteran's medical records and lay statements, specifically addressing his assertion that everything was stressful and his behaviors and attitude changed. See BVA Hearing Transcript, at 6-9. 3. After the above and any other development deemed necessary, readjudicate the issues on appeal. If any benefit sought remains denied, the Veteran and his representative should be furnished a Supplemental Statement of the Case and afforded the opportunity to respond. Thereafter, the case should be returned to the Board for appellate review. MICHAEL LANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board N. Gipson, 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.