Citation Nr: 22016537
Decision Date: 03/22/22	Archive Date: 03/22/22

DOCKET NO. 15-24 462
DATE: March 22, 2022

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from August 1975 to August 1979.  

This case was previously before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) in April 2019, when it was remanded for further development of the evidence; and in December 2019, when new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was allowed and the underlying service connection issue was remanded for additional development.  At that time, the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability was also remanded.  Service connection for a back disorder was granted by a rating decision issued in June 2021; therefore, that issue is no longer on appeal and will not be addressed herein.  

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

Review of the record shows that the Veteran was afforded a VA psychiatric examination in July 2019 wherein schizoaffective disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were diagnosed.  In the examination report, the examiner identified complaints of depression and malaise in service as well as the numerous stressors claimed by the Veteran as having occurred during service.  The examiner rendered a positive nexus opinion relating the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder with service, but the rationale specifically stated that this was caused by the stressors that were claimed to have happened during the service.  It is unclear whether the examiner related the schizoaffective disorder with the complaints of depression and malaise identified in the service treatment records (STRs).  The June 2019 Board remand instructed verification of the stressors identified by the Veteran as having occurred during service.  As none of the claimed noncombat stressors were verified, there is no basis for the diagnosis of PTSD.  An opinion was not rendered regarding whether the schizoaffective disorder was associated with the complaints of depression noted during service.  Under these circumstances, the Board finds that an addendum opinion is necessary..  

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is at least as likely as not related to the complaints of depression and malaise identified in the Veteran's STRs. 

 

 

A. ISHIZAWAR

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Joseph P. Gervasio

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.