Citation Nr: 21040237 Decision Date: 07/02/21 Archive Date: 07/02/21 DOCKET NO. 15-43 805 DATE: July 2, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder, is remanded. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded. Service connection for hypertension is remanded. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. Service connection for a left arm disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from May 1971 to May 1973. These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2013 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In June 2019, the Veteran and his spouse testified at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned. In October 2019, the Veteran was informed that the digital audio recording system malfunctioned during his hearing and the Board was unable to produce a transcript of the hearing. He was given the opportunity for another hearing, but by a September 2020 report of contact he declined another hearing. By a February 2021 decision, the Board reopened the claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and a left arm disability. The Board remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and a left arm disability due to the need for further development and intertwined issues. 1. Acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder The Board finds there has not been substantial compliance with the February 2021 remand directives. Per the Board remand directive, the RO was to schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder. Review of the March 2021 VA examination does not indicate that the examiner addressed PTSD and major depressive disorder at all. See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998); see also Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 311 (2007). 2. Sleep apnea 3. Hypertension 4. Diabetes mellitus type II 5. Erectile dysfunction 6. Left arm disability As previously set forth in the February 2021 Board decision, the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and a left arm disability are based on various contentions of secondary service connection and are inextricably intertwined. The Board will defer adjudication of these claims until resolution of the appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is adjudicated on the merits. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain updated VA treatment records. 2. Thereafter, schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If the Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD, the examiner must explain how the diagnostic criteria are met and opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to a verified in-service stressor. In considering the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors during examination, the examiner should give consideration to the Veteran's circumstances, conditions, or hardships of his service in Korea and/or is occupational specialty of medical specialist. The examiner must also consider whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of major depressive disorder that is at least as likely as not related to service. If the examiner finds the Veteran does not have PTSD and/or depressive disorder currently or at any time relevant to the appeal period, the examiner should consider and comment on evidence in the file that he has been previously been found to have these diagnoses. In rendering any medical conclusions, the examiner must reconcile all findings with the June 2019 DBQ conducted by a private licensed mental health counselor, and provide a detailed medical rationale supporting their conclusions. Nathaniel J. Doan Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board AD 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.