Citation Nr: 18157693
Decision Date: 12/14/18	Archive Date: 12/13/18

DOCKET NO. 16-32 193
DATE:	December 14, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is remanded.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability is remanded.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
1. Entitlement to an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded.
2. Entitlement to increased ratings for a left and right knee disabilities is remanded.
In a July 2016 statement, the Veteran asserted that the disabilities on appeal had increased in severity since the Veteran was last examined by VA.  The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for VA examinations to ascertain the current severities and manifestations of his diabetes mellitus and knee disabilities.  The Veteran’s knees were last examined in April 2016 and diabetes mellitus was last examined in December 2013.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination of left and right knee disabilities.  The examiner must review the claims file and should note that review in the report.  The examiner must test the Veteran’s active, passive, and weight-bearing, and nonweight-bearing ranges of motion.  The examiner should state whether there is any additional loss of function due to painful motion, excess motion, weakened motion, fatigability, incoordination, or on flare up.  The examiner must also attempt to elicit information regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups, and the degree of functional loss during flare-ups.  To the extent possible, the examiner should identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to his left and right knee disabilities alone, and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s left and right knee disabilities on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living.
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination of his diabetes mellitus.  The examiner must review the claims file and should note that review in the report.  The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for rating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria.  The examiner should identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to diabetes mellitus alone and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living.  The examiner should state whether diabetes requires insulin, restricted diet, regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities), or has episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization (and the number), the frequency of visits required to a diabetic care provider, progressive weight loss, or strength complications.  
 
Harvey P. Roberts
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	T.M. Gillett, Counsel