Citation Nr: 20004669 Decision Date: 01/21/20 Archive Date: 01/21/20 DOCKET NO. 18-03 448 DATE: January 21, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from April 1959 to July 1970. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a November 2016 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). By way of procedural background, the issue on appeal was previously denied by the Board in February 2019. The Veteran timely appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeal, resulting in an August 2019 Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) by the parties. A September 2019 Court Order remanded the matter for compliance with the instructions in the JMR. Upon review of the evidence of record, the Board finds that clarification is needed regarding the Veteran’s employment status and income. In a recent November 2019 VA Form 21-8940 (Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability), the Veteran indicated that he last worked in July 2014. However, in a separate section of the form, the Veteran reported that he had earned $52,000 “for the past 12 months.” He further noted that he was a self-taught stock trader and managed a $200,000 investment portfolio. Upon completion of his current on-line investment training, the Veteran stated that he expected to become self-employed. During an August 2019 VA psychiatric evaluation, the Veteran reported that he sold his hair salon in January 2019. It was further noted that the Veteran “continued to be a stock trader.” In a more recent December 2019 VA psychiatric examination, the Veteran was noted to have last worked in “January 2018” when he sold his hair salon business. The Veteran stated that he was attempting to develop expertise to become a stock trader. A remand is required in order to obtain clarification from the Veteran regarding his employment status and income information for the appeal period on appeal (i. e., from April 25, 2015). Moreover, addition relevant evidence has been added to the claims file that has not yet been considered by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction. See e. g., VA examination reports dated in December 2019. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain clarification from the Veteran regarding his work history, particularly between 2014 to the present (to specifically include clarification regarding self-employment or ownership of a business, including his hair salon and stock trader business). He should be asked to submit evidence (e.g., pay stubs, W2 Forms, tax returns, etc.) documenting employment that resulted in earned annual income. All actions to obtain the aforementioned requested information should be documented fully in the claims file. 2. Then, readjudicate the claim on appeal. JAMES G. REINHART Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board R. Casadei, Counsel 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.