not any separately based on new need for insulin complications if not compensable complication or oral medication to control appropriately included as exists on the uncomplicated diabetes the part of a 100-percent Codesheet). if evidence of record is sufficient evaluation under . The Veteran to show Examples: completes In expressly VA Form 21-526b, oral medication has been Explanation: referring broadly or prescribed for control of Veterans Supplemental Claim In Item 7, generically to an increase in for Compensation. diabetes mellitus, and the Veteran the disease, claims of this checks “Increased there continue to be no and writes pattern are interpreted as diabetic complications. evaluation” seeking higher overall “Diabetes” compensation for diabetes is or However, to be to – sufficient “DM2 worse,” whether that is accomplished show that the diabetes for diabetes; oral meds “20% by continues to be required.” a higher evaluation for the uncomplicated, the evidence diabetic process under must contain a competent and credible medical the addition of new separate assessment that there are no compensable evaluations for complications. diabetic complications under separate DCs, or increased evaluations for diabetic complications already evaluated under separate DCs. Therefore all options must be worked up and considered. solicit a Important: Do not claim for complications of diabetes in this claim fact pattern (or ask for clarification with respect to complications) even if there are separately – evaluated compensable diabetic complications already on the It is Codesheet. important to avoid the appearance of asking the Veteran to narrow a sufficiently unambiguous expressly made claim. expressly refers to the an evaluation for the diabetic Diabetes Mellitus DBQ or increase in process under , and diabetes mellitus, and separate evaluations for all one or more diabetic identified compensable complications (whether or diabetic complications if not not already compensated appropriately included as under a separate DC on the part of a 100-percent
not any separately compensable complication exists on the Codesheet). Examples: The Veteran completes VA Form 21-526b, Veterans Supplemental Claim for Compensation. In Item 7, the Veteran checks “Increased evaluation” and writes “Diabetes” “DM2 is worse,” or “20% for diabetes; oral meds required.” based on new need for insulin or oral medication to control uncomplicated diabetes if the evidence of record is sufficient to show oral medication has been prescribed for control of diabetes mellitus, and there continue to be no diabetic complications. However, to be sufficient to show that the diabetes continues to be uncomplicated, the evidence must contain a competent and credible medical assessment that there are no complications. complications if not appropriately included as part of a 100-percent evaluation under . Explanation: In expressly referring broadly or generically to an increase in the disease, claims of this pattern are interpreted as seeking higher overall compensation for diabetes – whether that is accomplished by a higher evaluation for the diabetic process under the addition of new separate compensable evaluations for diabetic complications under separate DCs, or increased evaluations for diabetic complications already evaluated under separate DCs. Therefore all options must be worked up and considered. Important: Do not solicit a claim for complications of diabetes in this claim fact pattern (or ask for clarification with respect to complications) – even if there are separately evaluated compensable diabetic complications already on the Codesheet. It is important to avoid the appearance of asking the Veteran to narrow a sufficiently unambiguous expressly made claim. expressly refers to or increase in diabetes mellitus, and one or more diabetic complications (whether or not already compensated under a separate DC on the the Diabetes Mellitus DBQ an evaluation for the diabetic process under , and separate evaluations for all identified compensable diabetic complications if not appropriately included as part of a 100-percent
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