Citation Nr: 19150970 Decision Date: 07/02/19 Archive Date: 07/01/19 DOCKET NO. 1831206 DATE: July 2, 2019 REMANDED An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).   REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from July 1960 to September 1963. The case is on appeal from a December 2017 rating decision that implemented a December 2017 Board decision granting the appeal with respect to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran appealed the initial 30 percent rating assigned in the rating decision. In June 2019, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing. Additionally, the Veteran has raised the issue of TDIU in conjunction with his appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD. See June 2018 VA Form 9; June 2019 Board hearing transcript. Thus, this issue will be considered by the Board as part of the PTSD appeal. See Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet. App. 447 (2009). 1. An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. In his February 2018 notice of disagreement, the Veteran asserted that PTSD symptoms result in impaired memory, judgment and thinking, and that a higher initial rating is warranted. In addition, VA treatment records in May 2018 note that the Veteran coped with having nightmares about stressful experiences during service by isolating for weeks at a time. Further, at the June 2019 Board hearing, the Veteran stated that he has increased PTSD symptoms, to include panic attacks and mood swings resulting in impaired functioning. As there is an indication that PTSD has gotten worse since the August 2015 examination, a new VA examination is warranted to assess the current severity of PTSD. See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997). In addition, at the June 2019 Board hearing, the Veteran stated that he receives benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Moreover, May 2018 VA treatment records note SSA benefits from the 1990s. These records are potentially relevant to the claims. See Golz v. Shinseki, 590 F.3d 1317 (Fed. Cir. 2010). As such, on remand, SSA records should be obtained and associated with the claims file. 2. TDIU As noted previously, the Board finds that a TDIU claim is part and parcel of the appeal. On remand, the Veteran should be asked to complete a TDIU form after which the RO will have an opportunity to consider this aspect of the claim. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain from SSA the records pertinent to the Veteran’s claim(s) as well as the medical records relied upon concerning that claim. If the records are not available, the Veteran should be notified of such. 2. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-8940, Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability, in order to provide the information needed to substantiate the TDIU claim. 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected PTSD. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Taylor 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.