Citation Nr: 18159027 Decision Date: 12/18/18 Archive Date: 12/18/18 DOCKET NO. 16-60 308 DATE: December 18, 2018 REMANDED An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a migraine headache disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty from October 1988 to July 1992. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2016 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in San Diego, California. The April 2016 rating decision granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD and 10 percent for a migraine headache disability. A November 2016 rating decision increased the initial rating for migraine headache disability to 30 percent. However, as that increase does not represent a total grant of benefits sought on appeal, the claim for increase remains before the Board. AB v. Brown, 6 Vet. App. 35 (1993).   1. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. Although further delay is regrettable, the Board finds that additional development is necessary prior to appellate review. In a November 2018 statement, the Veteran asserted that his PTSD is more severe than what is currently contemplated by the assigned rating. The Veteran has not had a VA examination since February 2016. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his PTSD. 2. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a migraine headache disability is remanded. The Veteran contends that he is entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for a migraine headache disability, as the alleged disability is worse than what is currently contemplated by the assigned rating. In support of this argument, the Veteran submitted logbooks dated March 2016 through November 2016 documenting the frequency and impact of his migraine headaches. In an October 2018 private treatment record, C.P., PA indicated that they were treating the Veteran for headaches which were “chronic and debilitating.” The letter went on to indicate that the frequency of the Veteran’s headaches had “diminished significantly” from two to three times per week, to two to three times per month with treatment. There was no indication of how long the Veteran was under C.P., PA’s care or a description of the current symptomatology of the Veteran’s migraine headaches. The Veteran has not had a VA examination since March 2016. The Board finds that it would be helpful for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination to ascertain the current severity of his headaches, as well as the history of the “chronic and debilitating” headaches as noted in the October 2018 letter. Furthermore, a VA examination would be beneficial in discovering if the impact of the Veteran’s headaches has in fact “diminished significantly” or if that was an isolated occurrence. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD. The examiner should review the claims folder and note that review in the examination report. A rationale for all opinions should be provided. The examiner should indicate the degree of social and occupational impairment due to the PTSD, and should describe the symptoms resulting in those levels of impairment. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA headaches examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his migraine headaches disability. The examiner must review the claims file and must note that review in the report. All indicated tests should be conducted. All pertinent symptomatology and findings must be reported in detail. The examiner should: (a.) Report the number and frequency of characteristic prostrating attacks, if any, during all relevant periods and any associated economic inadaptability as a result of the headaches. (b.) Comment upon the frequency and severity of   the headache disability without consideration of the ameliorating effects of any medication. Shamil Patel Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD K. D. Cross, Associate Counsel