Citation Nr: 21042164 Decision Date: 07/12/21 Archive Date: 07/12/21 DOCKET NO. 17-03 171 DATE: July 12, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. FINDING OF FACT The evidence shows that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia, is related to injuries in service. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability are met. 38 U.S.C. § 1110; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty from February 2012 to May 2012. This matter is before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2014 rating decision by a Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Board remanded this issue for further development in December 2018. Claims for psychiatric disability encompass claims for all psychiatric disorders that are reasonably raised by the record. Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009). Therefore, the Board has recharacterized the claim on appeal as reflected on the title page. 1. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability The Veteran asserts her current mental health disorders are a direct result of an assault suffered in service. The Board concludes that the Veteran has a current disability that is related to in-service injury. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). VA treatment records and a May 2014 psychological evaluation conducted by the Tennessee Disability Determination Services show diagnoses of various psychiatric disabilities under The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) during the appeal period, including PTSD, MDD, and schizophrenia. The evidence establishes a current disability. STRs show that the Veteran fractured her hip in service and her personnel records show that a convalescent leave request for 30 days was granted for "(hip injury) attack on person." This is consistent with the Veteran's reported personal assault stressor. The evidence establishes an in-service injury. Thus, the question becomes whether the current disability is related to service. On this question there are opinions in favor of and against the claim. The June 2014 VA examination report was inadequate, as the examiner failed to consider lay statements or the Tennessee Disability Determination Services report. The June 2020 examination likewise failed to consider the Tennessee Disability Determination Services report and is inadequate. Reonal v. Brown, 5 Vet. App. 458, 461 (1993) (A medical opinion based on an inaccurate or incomplete factual premise is not probative). The Tennessee Disability Determination Services report is a comprehensive psychological evaluation that diagnosed PTSD and MDD and related them to the Veteran's reported stressor and her chronic pain from her hip fracture. The Board finds this opinion probative, as it provided a clear conclusion with supporting data, and reasoned medical explanations connecting the two. Stefl v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 120, 124-25 (2007); Nieves-Rodriguez v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 295, 304 (2008). Upon review of the record, the Board finds the only adequate nexus evidence weighs in favor of the claim. Accordingly, after resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. LAURA E. COLLINS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Associate Counsel, S. Conti 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.