Citation Nr: 22037620 Decision Date: 06/30/22 Archive Date: 06/30/22 DOCKET NO. 14-26 646 DATE: June 30, 2022 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an acquire psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from August 1973 to November 1973. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal of a July 2013 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In accordance with Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009), the Board has expanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD to include any acquired psychiatric disorder, as treatment records indicate the Veteran has diagnoses of other psychiatric disorders. This matter was previously before the Board in April 2018 and May 2020 when it was remanded for additional development. In regard to the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, it is noted that the Board previously remanded such for a VA examination and opinion to further develop the matter for adjudication. Although the Veteran was scheduled for a VA examination in March 2022, it appears that he did not attend, despite several attempts to notify him beginning in August 2021. It appears from the August 2021 memorandum regarding scheduling the VA examination that the examination facility may have been attempting to reach the Veteran at his address at 3101 Sage Road, Apt 29, Houston, Texas, 77056. In this regard, it was noted in this memorandum, as well as suggested by the surrounding evidence of record showing multiple addresses for the Veteran, including homeless shelters, that he is transient and his addresses would need to be confirmed. However, in a February 2022 correspondence, the Veteran indicated that he had recently changed his address to 1418 Preston Street, Houston, Texas, 77002. Numerous correspondence, including the recent May 2022 supplemental statement of the case, have been sent to the new address without being returned, thereby indicating that the new address is valid for communication with the Veteran. The Board finds that, although the Veteran failed to attend his previously scheduled VA examination, evidence of extenuating circumstances due to the transient nature of the Veteran's housing has been shown, thereby indicating that he was not previously in receipt of notice required to successfully schedule his VA examination. The Veteran has not otherwise demonstrated any unwillingness to appear for such examination in the further of his case. Accordingly, the Veteran should be afforded one more opportunity to attend a VA examination for his PTSD. In this regard, his current address must be confirmed prior to the submission of any notice. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. 2. Take appropriate steps to verify the Veteran's current address, to include contacting the Veteran's representative for any assistance deemed appropriate. 3. Thereafter, attempt to obtain additional information from the Veteran. If appropriate, attempt to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors. Document all steps taken in the record, to include contacting the Veteran and his representative to advise them of the information that is being requested and needed. 4. After completing the above, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, to include, but not limited to, PTSD. The Veteran and his representative must be advised in writing of the date, time, and location of the scheduled examination. Additionally, all contacts made, to include phone calls, emails, texts, etc., should be documented within the record. On examination and review of the record, the examiner is asked to provide opinions as to the following: (a) Please identify (by medical diagnosis) the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, to include ruling in or out whether the Veteran has PTSD under DSM-5 criteria. (b) If PTSD is diagnosed, please opine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor. (c) With regard to any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD diagnosed, please opine whether it is at least as likely as not that any acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed is related to or had its onset in service. All opinions must be accompanied by a complete rationale. If the examiner is unable to reach an opinion without resort to speculation, he or she should explain the reasons for this inability and comment on whether any further tests, evidence or information would be useful in rendering an opinion. Jarrette A. Marley Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Dodd, Ryan 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.