Citation Nr: 18147846
Decision Date: 11/06/18	Archive Date: 11/06/18

DOCKET NO. 04-20 683
DATE:	November 6, 2018
REMANDED ISSUE
Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 14, 2012, is remanded.
The Veteran served in the United States Army from March 1979 to July 1994.  The matter is on appeal from an August 2003 decision.
Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 14, 2012, is remanded.
At a January 2013 VA examination, the examiner determined that the Veteran’s PTSD manifested with symptoms that resulted in total occupational and social impairment.  Some of these symptoms included markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities, depressed mood, anxiety, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances including work or a worklike setting.  
In its September 2017 remand, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) ordered an addendum opinion from the January 2013 VA examiner on the timeframe for the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms that resulted in total occupational and social impairment, and when the Veteran began to have total occupational and social impairment. 
In October 2017, the examiner responded that the Veteran had been unable to secure and follow a gainful occupation since 1997 when he had a heart infarct; and that this date preceded 2006.  Further, the examiner stated that PTSD symptoms were present since 2003.
The Board finds the October 2017 response needs clarification.  The addendum opinion does not address when the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms which resulted in total occupational and social impairment began, specifically including the symptoms noted above from the January 2013 VA examination; nor does it address when the symptoms manifested into total occupational and social impairment.  Simply exhibiting some PTSD symptoms does not constitute as total occupational and social impairment.  On remand, another addendum opinion is requested with clarification on the question.    
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Return the file to the January 2013 VA examiner for an addendum opinion.  If that examiner is unavailable, ask another appropriate examiner for an addendum opinion.
The examiner is asked to provide commentary on the effects of the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD on his ability to secure and follow a gainful occupation.  Specifically, the examiner is asked to opine as to when the Veteran began to exhibit total occupation and social impairment due to his PTSD symptoms, and when these symptoms began to manifest. 
The assessment should be based on a review of the Veteran’s medical and lay evidence, and take into account the Veteran’s education, training, and work history (but not his age or the impact of any nonservice-connected disabilities).
The examiner is advised that the Veteran’s PTSD is service-connected only as of June 14, 2006.  Thus, respective consideration of the occupational impact of this disability should only include the period from June 14, 2006 to August 13, 2012.  
2. Readjudicate the appeal.

 
L. M. BARNARD
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Department of Veterans Affairs