Citation Nr: 18152835 Decision Date: 11/27/18 Archive Date: 11/26/18 DOCKET NO. 11-00 177A DATE: November 27, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served honorably in the Army from September 1976 to December 1976 and June 1979 to July 1984. This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of a February 2010 rating decision issued by the Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The issue is for entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran’s unemployability due to service connected atopic dermatitis, currently rated at 30%, and granular cell myoblastoma, currently rated at 30%, for a combined total disability of 50% from September 2009. Entitlement to TDIU is granted when the evidence shows that the Veteran is precluded by reason of his service-connected disabilities from obtaining or maintaining “substantially gainful employment” consistent with his education and occupational experience, and the rating decision for the connected disability is not total disability. 38 C.F.R. § 4.16. If there is only one disability, it shall be ratable at 60 percent or more. If there are two or more disabilities, there shall be at least one disability ratable at 40 percent or more and sufficient additional disability to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more. 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The current ratings fail to meet TDIU, per their current rating decisions. However, because of the picture that is presented by the symptoms and interference which the Veteran experiences, the Board has determined that a referral for an extraschedular rating assessment is required. 38 C.F.R § 3.321(b). Extraschedular evaluations are assigned in cases where an exceptional or unusual disability picture is presented with such related factors as marked interference with employment. 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). The Board must specifically adjudicate whether to refer a case for extraschedular evaluation when the issue either is raised by the claimant or reasonably raised by the evidence of record. Barringer v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 242 (2008). The Veteran contends that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. He contends in his 2008 VA examination that he cannot stand or walk for long periods of time, he experiences itches and burning over his entire body, is in constant pain, and has dry skin on his scalp and feet. He contends he experiences numbness in his hands, has a weakened grip, and drops things that he picks up. Walking more than ten feet causes pain and instability. His tumors are tender and sensitive, and appear as burns. The pain interferes with sleep. The Veteran contends he has dealt with ongoing symptoms since 1980. Medical records indicate the Veteran has undergone surgery on different occasions to remove the painful tumors. The 2008 VA examination determined that the Veteran was unemployable. The medical and lay evidence before the Board, including records of VA examinations, VA treatment, and the Veteran's numerous statements present a picture that satisfies the requisite severity and interference for an extraschedular referral. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, in many statements and examinations from 2008 forward, the Veteran indicated that he cannot work due to symptomatology associated with service-connected disability. The Veteran’s claim for TDIU is being remanded and referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration. Refer the Veteran’s claim for TDIU to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration. M. H. Hawley Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD D. Kelly, Associate Counsel