Citation Nr: 18150327 Decision Date: 11/15/18 Archive Date: 11/14/18 DOCKET NO. 16-38 030 DATE: November 15, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service in the Navy from June 1985 to May 1988. This case comes before the Board of Veteran’s Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2015 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). A claim for TDIU is part and parcel of a claim for an increase rating if raised by the record or by the Veteran. Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet App. 447 (2009). The Board finds that such is the case in this appeal. On an August 2018 Veteran’s statement, the Veteran indicated that he was not able to work because of his service-connected disability. PTSD After review of the record, the Board finds that a remand for further development is warranted. The Veteran asserts that his PTSD symptoms are more severe than his current rating reflects. On May 2018 Veteran’s statement, the Veteran wrote that he now suffered from the following symptoms depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness panic (or anxiety) attacks more than once a week, chronic sleep impairment, impairment of short and long term memory, circumstantial circumlocutory or stereotyped speech, disturbances of motivation of motivation and mood, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, including work, the inability to establish and maintain relationships, both socially and occupationally, suicidal thoughts obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control with unprovoked irritability, and neglect of his personal hygiene and appearance. He indicated that his PTSD symptoms were worse from his last VA examination. The Veteran indicated that his symptoms severity most closely met the criteria of 70 percent. Generally, remands for VA examinations are not warranted based on the passage of time alone; however, in this case, the Board observes that the Veteran’s most recent VA examination was conducted in February 2015. Palczewski v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 174, 180 (2007). Additionally, medical treatment records associated with this appeal reflect the Veteran has had treatment for his PTSD since the VA examination, treatment records past June 2016 have not been associated with the claims file. Hence, a remand is necessary to schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms and to obtain and associate with the electronic claims file updated treatment records. TDIU The Veteran contends that he is unable to work as a result of his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran asserts that his psychiatric symptomatology affects his ability to work. In April 2015, the Veteran was afforded a VA PTSD examination. The examiner opined that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms caused an occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by medication. Here, from the pendency of this appeal, the treatment records, VA examination report, and lay statements of record suggest that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms affects his ability to obtain and maintain employment. Thus, the Board finds that a TDIU claim due exclusively to the service-connected PTSD disability raised by the record, and thus this inferred issue is remanded for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 (b). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain updated VA treatment records from the VA medical center in Baltimore/ Perry Point and all associated clinics, as well as any other VA facility identified by the Veteran or in the record, for the period of June 2016 to the present. 2. Send the Veteran a TDIU claim form and a duty-to-assist letter notifying the Veteran as to how to substantiate a TDIU claim pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.159. 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA mental health examination for worsening of his service-connected PTSD. The record, including a complete copy of this remand, must be made available to the examiner for review. The examiner should set forth all manifestations of the Veteran’s PTSD and discuss the impact of such symptoms on the Veteran’s social and occupational functioning. 4. After completing all indicated development, the RO should readjudicate the claims for increased disability rating and TDIU in light of all the evidence of record. If any of the benefits sought remain denied, the case should be returned to the Board after compliance with requisite appellate procedures. MICHAEL LANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD S. Baxter, Associate Counsel