Citation Nr: 18149207 Decision Date: 11/09/18 Archive Date: 11/08/18 DOCKET NO. 15-27 179 DATE: November 9, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. Entitlement to an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from May 1970 to December 1971. These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from an August 2013 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in St. Louis, Missouri. The Veteran testified at a video-conference hearing before the undersigned in November 2018. The Board notes that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU was not certified for appeal. However, when evidence of unemployability is submitted during the course of an appeal from an assigned disability rating, a claim for a TDIU will be considered part and parcel of the claim for benefits for the underlying disability. Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet. App. 447, 453-54 (2009). The Veteran has asserted that he is unemployable as a result of his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus. Accordingly, the Board finds that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU has been raised and that the Board has jurisdiction over such issue as part and parcel of the Veteran's increased rating claims. Rice, 22 Vet. App.at 453-54. Accordingly, the issue has been characterized as reflected on the title page. 1. Entitlement to an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD is remanded. The Veteran testified at his November 2018 Board hearing that his PTSD symptoms have worsened since his most recent VA examination in February 2016. As such, the Board finds a new examination should be provided in order to assess the current nature and severity of his PTSD. Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 408 (1997) (requiring a new examination where the evidence reflects that a disability has increased in severity since the time of the last VA examination). 2. Entitlement to an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded. During the Board November 2018 hearing, the Veteran also testified that his diabetes mellitus had increased in severity since his last VA examination in January 2016. As such, the Board finds a new examination should be provided in order to assess the current nature and severity of his diabetes mellitus. 3. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on TDIU is remanded. As the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus and entitlement to a TDIU are inextricably intertwined, the TDIU claim must also be remanded. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Send the Veteran a VCAA notice concerning his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and ask that he complete a return a VA Form 21-8940. 2. Obtain the Veteran’s updated treatment records from the Hines and Jesse Brown VA treatment facilities. 3. Then, schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his PTSD. Preferably, the appropriate Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) should be used for this purpose. The examiner should identify all limitations imposed on the Veteran as a consequence of his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's claims file, including a copy of this remand, must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. The examination should include any necessary diagnostic testing or evaluation. The examiner must provide a comprehensive report including complete rationales for all opinions and conclusions reached. 4. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an appropriate examiner to obtain findings as to the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Preferably, the appropriate Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) should be used for this purpose. The examiner should identify and provide findings as to the severity of any associated neurological manifestations of diabetes mellitus, i.e., any peripheral neuropathy of the upper and/or lower extremities. The examiner should identify all limitations imposed on the Veteran as a consequence of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and any associated manifestations. The Veteran's claims file, including a copy of this remand, must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. The examination should include any necessary diagnostic testing or evaluation. The examiner must provide a comprehensive report including complete rationales for all opinions and conclusions reached. P. M. DILORENZO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Denton, Buck