Citation Nr: 19146830
Decision Date: 06/17/19	Archive Date: 06/17/19

DOCKET NO. 17-56 100
DATE:	June 17, 2019

REMAND

Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from April 1968 to April 1970.

This matter was previously before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on an appeal from a June 2013 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

In a May 2019 rating decision, the VA Regional Office (RO) granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As this decision represents a full grant of the benefit sought, that issue is no longer before the Board. See Grantham v. Brown, 114 F.3d. 1156 (Fed. Cir. 1997).

In this case, the Veteran asserts that his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is more severe than is contemplated by his current 20 percent disability rating. In a February 2019 informal hearing presentation (IHP), the Veteran’s representative asserted that the Veteran’s condition had worsened since the last VA examination in July 2017. In April 2019, the Board remanded the Veteran’s case to the RO for initial review of new evidence. Unfortunately, the Board did not include instructions for a new examination to be afforded to the Veteran at that time. Accordingly, the case must be remanded for an updated VA examination.

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

Schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. The claims file must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. The most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire should be used. All signs and symptoms necessary for rating the Veteran’s diabetes should be reported in detail, including whether it requires the regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities) and any complications such as diabetic retinopathy. A complete rationale must be given for all opinions and conclusions expressed.

 

A. C. MACKENZIE

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Evan Thomas Hicks

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 This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.