Citation Nr: 21068630 Decision Date: 11/11/21 Archive Date: 11/11/21 DOCKET NO. 18-51 315 DATE: November 11, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic headaches is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty from August 1983 to April 1990. This case comes to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal of an August 2016 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In November 2021, the Veteran testified at a video conference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). A transcript of the proceeding will be associated with the electronic claims file. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic headaches is remanded. The Veteran asserts entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected traumatic headaches. Specifically, the Veteran contends that her assigned disability rating does not contemplate her current headache symptoms. The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in November 2021. The Veteran reported headache symptoms occurring twice a week, requiring medication. The Veteran endorsed headache symptoms of constant head pain, pain localized to one side of the head, and pain worsening with physical activity as well as non-headache symptoms of sensitivity to light and changes in vision. The Veteran reported headache pain lasting less than one day, located behind her eye and on the left side of her head. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran does not have characteristic prostrating attacks of migraine/non-migraine headache pain nor very prostrating and prolonged attacks. During her November 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that her headaches occur twice a week, affecting her job and causing her to miss work, as well as resulting in lost peripheral vision on the left side that does not return. The Veteran further testified that she has prostrating attacks that are so bad they affect her eyesight. The Board finds that the November 2021 VA examination results do not align with the Veteran's statements during her Board hearing. Thus, remand is warranted for an addendum VA examination that takes into account the Veteran's reports of prostrating attacks and loss of vision. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. All records/responses received must be associated with the electronic claims file. 2. After the above development, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of her traumatic headaches. Provide the claims file, including a copy of this REMAND, to the examiner for review. All findings should be fully documented in the examination report. The VA examiner should provide current findings regarding all symptoms associated with the service-connected traumatic headaches and should opine as to the severity. The VA examiner should comment on the extent of any functional impairment caused by the Veteran's service-connected traumatic headaches, to include in an occupational setting and in performing ordinary, daily activities. The examiner should consider the Veteran's lay statements, to include her November 2021 testimony and description of the severity of her migraine headaches and the impact on her employment. (Continued on the next page) The examiner should also address whether the Veteran's claimed peripheral vision loss is related to her service-connected traumatic headaches or her rapid weight loss due to bariatric surgery. Please see the VA medical statement from Dr. D.T. B., Staff Ophthalmologist dated August 23, 2019. 3. After the above development, and any additionally indicated development, has been completed, readjudicate the issue on appeal. If any benefit sought is not granted to the Veteran's satisfaction, send the Veteran and her 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. KRISTI L. GUNN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board A. C. Slaughter, Associate 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.