Citation Nr: 21029619 Decision Date: 05/14/21 Archive Date: 05/14/21 DOCKET NO. 15-31 274A DATE: May 14, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability prior to March 6, 2018, is remanded. INTRODUCTION The Veteran served on active duty from June 1991 to August 2012. These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from rating decisions by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In November 2018, the Veteran testified at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of this hearing has been associated with the claims file. This claim was remanded in July 2020 for additional consideration. After the issuance of a February 2021 supplemental statement of the case, the appeal was remitted to the Board for further appellate consideration. REASONS FOR REMAND The Board finds that additional development is required as to the Veteran's employment history prior to March 6, 2018, as well as how his service-connected disabilities affected his employability during this period. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Request that the Veteran complete and submit a VA Form 21-8940 and a VA Form 21-4192, detailing his work history for the period from September 1, 2011 to March 6, 2018. 2. Request that the Veteran submit or identify any relevant evidence of his employability from September 1, 2011 to March 6, 2018, that is not already associated with the claims file. Attempt to obtain any identified evidence. 3. Obtain a medical opinion from a qualified examiner, to comment on the occupational effects caused by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to March 6, 2018. All pertinent evidence of record must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. Following a review of the relevant records and lay statements, the examiner should comment on the Veteran's ability to function in an occupational environment and describe the functional limitations associated with all the Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to March 6, 2018. The examiner should provide concrete examples of functional impairments caused by the Veteran's service-connected conditions, to include the medications taken, if any, for each disability. The examiner should consider and discuss the Veteran's history, education, skill, and training; Whether the Veteran has the physical ability (both exertional and non-exertional) to perform the type of activities (e.g., sedentary, light, medium, heavy, or very heavy) required by the occupation(s) at issue. Factors that may be relevant include, but are not limited to, the Veteran's limitations, if any, concerning lifting, bending, sitting, standing, walking, climbing, grasping, typing, and reaching, as well as auditory and visual limitations; AND Whether the Veteran has the mental ability to perform the activities required by the occupation(s) at issue. Factors that may be relevant include, but are not limited to, the veteran's limitations, if any, concerning memory, concentration, ability to adapt to change, handle workplace stress, get along with coworkers, and demonstrate reliability and productivity. (Continued on the next page) The examiner should then comment as to whether there is a 50 percent probability or better that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, either alone or in concert, were sufficiently disabling to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background prior to March 6, 2018. If the examiner determines an examination is necessary in order to comment on the above, then an examination must be scheduled. T. REYNOLDS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Sean G. Pflugner, 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.