of the diabetic process in of the diabetes generally. such as new regulation of Solicit a claim when medical activities) such as to evidence received or include prescription of in connection with developed more intensive treatment, the claim for an increase in new regulation of diabetic complications activities. indicates the potential for an increase in the evaluation The Veteran Examples: for the diabetic process completes VA Form 21-526b. an increase in additional In Item 7, the Veteran checks diabetic complications, or and “Increased evaluation” development of new diabetic writes complications. peripheral “Diabetic neuropathy is worse” from “My eyesight problems my diabetes have increased,” or evaluation for “increased diabetic nephropathy.” Important: An examination will almost always be necessary when assessing increases in diabetes mellitus. The evidence of record will rarely provide the full equivalent of a VA examination. When ordering the examination, inform the examiner of existing diabetic complications currently separately evaluated on the codesheet. Whenever claim wording indicates that the claimant wants a broader reevaluation of diabetes as indicated in the first two rows of the table above the when properly completed, will ensure that Diabetes Mellitus DBQ, sufficient information is obtained to evaluate the factors relating to the diabetic process in , and all diabetic complications. The DBQ prompts the examiner to complete and incorporate additional DBQs when needed to address specific complications of various body systems. return the examination as insufficient if the examiner fails to address all diabetic complications, including any complications that are already separately evaluated on the codesheet, and complete additional DBQs as indicated by the Diabetes Mellitus DBQ. For more information on References: determining the issues, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 6.B when an examination may be unnecessary because the evidence is sufficient to decide the claim, see M21-1, Part I, 1.C.3.c examinations in claims for increase, see M21-1, Part I, 1.C.3.i, and claim requirements, see , and .
of the diabetic process in such as new regulation of activities) such as to include prescription of more intensive treatment, new regulation of activities. Examples: The Veteran completes VA Form 21-526b. In Item 7, the Veteran checks “Increased evaluation” and writes “Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is worse” “My eyesight problems from my diabetes have increased,” or “increased evaluation for diabetic nephropathy.” of the diabetes generally. Solicit a claim when medical evidence received or developed in connection with the claim for an increase in diabetic complications indicates the potential for an increase in the evaluation for the diabetic process an increase in additional diabetic complications, or development of new diabetic complications. Important: An examination will almost always be necessary when assessing increases in diabetes mellitus. The evidence of record will rarely provide the full equivalent of a VA examination. When ordering the examination, inform the examiner of existing diabetic complications currently separately evaluated on the codesheet. Whenever claim wording indicates that the claimant wants a broader reevaluation of diabetes as indicated in the first two rows of the table above the Diabetes Mellitus DBQ, when properly completed, will ensure that sufficient information is obtained to evaluate the factors relating to the diabetic process in , and all diabetic complications. The DBQ prompts the examiner to complete and incorporate additional DBQs when needed to address specific complications of various body systems. return the examination as insufficient if the examiner fails to address all diabetic complications, including any complications that are already separately evaluated on the codesheet, and complete additional DBQs as indicated by the Diabetes Mellitus DBQ. References: For more information on determining the issues, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 6.B when an examination may be unnecessary because the evidence is sufficient to decide the claim, see M21-1, Part I, 1.C.3.c examinations in claims for increase, see M21-1, Part I, 1.C.3.i, and claim requirements, see , and .
3-24-16_Key%20Changes_M21-1III_iv_4_SecF.docx