Citation Nr: 21002338 Decision Date: 01/13/21 Archive Date: 01/13/21 DOCKET NO. 14-31 519 DATE: January 13, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from October 2002 to January 2006. This matter is before the Board on appeal from a February 2013 rating decision, which granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rated 50 percent, effective April 29, 2011. In October 2015, a Travel Board hearing was held before the undersigned; a transcript is in the record. In March 2018, the matter was remanded for additional development. Entitlement to a TDIU rating is remanded. The schedular requirements for a TDIU rating in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) are met. The Veteran’s non-psychiatric disabilities, while impacting on various types of employment, are not shown to be disqualifying for employment. The critical factor therefore becomes the extent of impairment that is due to psychiatric disability. While the September 2020 VA PTSD examiner concluded that the Veteran’s psychiatric diagnoses result in total [emphasis added] occupational and social impairment, the explanation of rationale that follows this conclusion strongly suggests otherwise by identifying the types of work/circumstances that would allow for his employment. The Board is unable to reconcile this clear inconsistency between the conclusion and the explanation without further explanation/clarification by the provider. The record also suggests that the Veteran has been employed during the evaluation period, though the extent of his employment is not clear. An updated listing of all employment during the evaluation period should be sought. The matter is REMANDED for the following: 1. Ask the Veteran to furnish detailed information regarding his employment during the evaluation period, to the present (name/address of each employer, dates of employment, hours worked, reason for termination if any, etc.), and to submit an authorization for VA to obtain pertinent records from all cited employers. Then ask the employers to complete VA Form 21-4192, Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits. 2. Forward the Veteran’s claims file to the September 2020 VA examiner for an addendum clarifying opinion regarding the current severity of his PTSD, and specifically the conclusion reached in September 2020 that it results in total occupational and social impairment. The examiner should identify all psychiatric symptoms that were found and would be expected to have an adverse effect on occupational functioning, and identify the occupational functions impacted (e.g., ability to focus on a task, ability to maintain adequate working relations with others, etc.) and the degree to which those functions are impaired. The examiner should offer some examples of the types of employment that would be precluded by the service-connected psychiatric disability and the types of employment, if any, that remain feasible despite the disability. The examiner must explain the rationale for all opinions. If the September 2020 VA examiner is unavailable or unable to provide the clarifying opinion sought, arrange for the Veteran to be afforded a new psychiatric examination to ascertain the severity of his psychiatric disability, with the primary concern being the impact the disability has/had on his occupational functioning. GEORGE R. SENYK Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board D. Schechner, 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.