Citation Nr: 20045082 Decision Date: 07/07/20 Archive Date: 07/07/20 DOCKET NO. 17-17 217A DATE: July 7, 2020 REMANDED A rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) is remanded. Service connection for left upper extremity (LUE) peripheral neuropathy is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served honorably from January 1968 to January 1971, including service in Vietnam. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from rating decisions in December 2015 and October 2016. The Veteran testified at a Board hearing in May 2020. Increased rating for DMII After filing his claim for a higher rating, the Veteran’s DMII was evaluated by a VA examiner in September 2016. At the hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge, the Veteran testified that he believes that, since his last examination, his DMII has increased in severity. A remand is necessary to obtain information concerning the current severity of the Veteran’s DM II. The Board would also note that, at the hearing, the undersigned asked the Veteran whether treatment of his DMII requires the regulation of his activities. The Board would note that none of the treatment records currently in the file discuss the regulation of his activities. If the Veteran has private medical records which do, he is encouraged to submit them to VA so that they may be added to the record. Service connection for LUE peripheral neuropathy The Board finds this claim inextricably intertwined with the claim for a higher rating for DMII. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for appropriate DBQ examination(s) to determine the current severity of his diabetes mellitus and the etiology of his left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims file should be made available to the examiner for review. All tests and studies should be conducted, and all findings reported in detail. Regarding diabetes mellitus, it should be specifically noted whether the disability requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. (Continued on the next page)   Regarding left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, the examiner should indicate whether a diagnosis of such condition is supported. If so, the examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the peripheral neuropathy is (1) related to service, (2) caused by the service-connected diabetes mellitus, or (3) aggravated by the service-connected diabetes mellitus. A rationale for the opinions should be provided. JOHN Z. JONES Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Pamela F. Mucklow 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.