Citation Nr: 21061887
Decision Date: 10/05/21	Archive Date: 10/05/21

DOCKET NO. 15-15 261
DATE: October 5, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to a rating higher than 0 percent for diabetic cataracts prior to March 5, 2019, is remanded.

Entitlement to a rating higher than 60 percent for diabetic cataracts as of March 5, 2019, is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from February 1969 to September 1970.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from rating decisions from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

In June 2018, the Board remanded the claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with impotence and cataracts.  

A July 2019 rating decision granted a separate rating for bilateral diabetic cataracts of 0 percent prior to March 5, 2019, and a 10 percent rating as of March 5, 2019.  

A February 2021 rating decision granted an increased rating of 60 percent rating as of March 5, 2019.  

In June 2020, September 2020, and May 2021, the Board remanded the claim for further development.  

1. Entitlement to increased ratings for diabetic cataracts is remanded.

There are outstanding VA treatment records.  The May 2021 Board remand instructed the RO to obtain additional evidence, including an updated VA examination and outstanding treatment records.  While the updated VA examination and outstanding treatment records were obtained, there are additional VA treatment records related to the Veteran's eyes.  A March 2021 and April 2021 treatment record shows Community Care consultations for ophthalmology stored in the VistA imaging system.  These reports have not been included in the record.  Therefore, on remand, any outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and associated with the record.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records from May 2021 to the present.  All records related to the Veteran's eyes which have been stored in VistA Imaging since 2010 must be obtained, to specifically include March 2021 and April 2021 Community Care Consultations.  All attempts to locate records must be documented in the claims file.

 

 

Harvey P. Roberts

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.