Citation Nr: 18156335
Decision Date: 12/07/18	Archive Date: 12/07/18

DOCKET NO. 16-45 435
DATE:	December 7, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for migraine headaches is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from July 1998 to June 2001 and September 2005 to May 2009.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2013 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).   
1. Entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for migraine headaches is remanded.
In a January 2018 statement, the Veteran asserted that when he gets migraines he has to lay down in the dark or he will fall from being dizzy.  This assertion indicates that his migraines have increased in severity since the Veteran was last examined by VA.  The most recent examination was conducted in July 2013 and found no characteristic prostrating attacks.  The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his migraines, including whether his migraines affect his long-term and short-term memory, as the Veteran asserts in his September 2016 VA Form 9.
The record should also be updated to include VA treatment records compiled since September 28, 2018.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records for the period from September 28, 2018 to the present.
2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected migraine headaches.  The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria.  The examiner should discuss whether the Veteran’s migraine headaches affect the Veteran’s short-term and long-term memory.  To the extent possible, the examiner should identify all symptoms and functional impairment due to migraine headaches alone and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s migraine headaches on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living.  
3. After the above development, and any additionally indicated development, has been completed, readjudicate the issue on appeal.  If the benefit sought is not granted to the Veteran’s satisfaction, send the Veteran and his 
 
representative a Supplemental Statement of the Case and provide an opportunity to respond.  If necessary, return the case to the Board for further appellate review.
 
U. R. POWELL
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Budd, Counsel