conla

You need to take a look at the C&P form.  The rating is actually influenced by several factors other than pain. I was denied years ago when I had obvious symptoms. This time I paid a private neurologist to conduct a nerve study.  It's a little hard for the VA to dispute neuropathy when you have the tests to prove it exists.
 
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960C-10-ARE.pdf

conla,
obviously the majority of the damage has already been done, that's why they apparently put you on the medication, and that should be documented in your medical records, what stage or level your medical condition was in prior to the medication, and remember the holding in Jones v. Shineski (2012), VA cannot rate you on the new improved version of yourself after the beneficial effects of the medications have had their desired effects. CAVC-David J. Jones v. Eric K. Shinseki (2012).

Welcome to hadit buddy.
first off never stop taking your meds without your Dr orders.
is this DMII  S.C.?
Diabetic neuropathies are nerve damaging disorders associated with diabetes mellitus. These conditions are thought to result from diabetic microvascular injury involving small blood vessels that supply nerves in addition to macrovascular conditions that can culminate in diabetic neuropathy. Relatively common conditions which may be associated with diabetic neuropathy include third nerve palsy; mononeuropathy; mononeuropathy multiplex; diabetic amyotrophy; a painful polyneuropathy; autonomic neuropathy; and thoracoabdominal neuropathy.   Send in all medical records with your claim that is pertinent to your claim you may ask your Dr if he'could give their opinion as to rather or not this could be filed as a secondary to DMII   I doubt you taking the meds will mess up your claim  to the contrary it will help your claim...I would think.   like if a veteran taking meds for PTSD and they help then that's called adjustment by medications..that don't mean he is cured.   check with your Dr on this and ask questions research it on your own so you can have a better understanding.   just remember we veteran can't diagnose our self  that has to come from a MD or specialist or VA MD Or any type of medical opinion's    jmo   ............Buck

I don't think it really matters what the neurologist called it (polyneuropathy or peripheral neuropathy).  The VA rating is based on the nerve affected not the terminology in question.  Nerves affected in the hand are rated individually for a single affected nerve or they use a combined radicular group if more than one nerve is affected.  Nerves in the feet are rated separately up to the maximum allowed for loss of limb (or 40% per foot).  The bilateral factor is also applied when the nerve damage is on both feet or both hands.
 
I hope this helps

Ok Folks, so this is the start of my thread for my sleep apnea claim and i will keep it update as things progress.
As it currently stands i am in the process of gathering evidence to support a SC claim for sleep apnea.
(As a Note i would purchase Chris Attigs book "PUT IT TO SLEEP" regarding sleep apnea claims, it is superb)
I had issues with sleeping while i was in the Marine Corps but never had a DX or a in service note in my Med record of sleep issues.  This is a major hurdle that will have to be jumped over.  A DX in service is a golden ticket for your claim, short of that a note in your records of anything sleep related "difficulty sleeping" "fatigue" "tired during the day" can be the evidence you need to help make a claim.
I dont have that at all, i went to BAS 4 times in 4 years.  1 was for bursitis of the hip in boot camp, 1 for pink eye in boot camp, 1 for pink eye in the barracks, 1 for back pain (PT was ordered) after second deployment.  I didnt realize then of course how important it was to note everything and on my exit exam i only noted what i had gone in for back pain and shin splints as a "issue" that was reported or unreported.  i didnt realize that i could say other things + i was ready to get out and go back to the 1st CIV DIV and start my new exciting life without reveille at 0530!
Anyways
I had my sleep study dont at the end of the month and i was diagnosed with mild OSA (obstructive Sleep Apnea).  I believe this is tied to my PTSD as there is a wealth of evidence that PTSD/mental health issues and Sleep Apnea are closely related.
I have attached 4 files that related to sleep disorders and comorbidity with Active Duty/PTSD
 
In my sleep study it was noted my weight was an issue.  I am technically listed as "obese" by the BMI ratings they have for heigh and weight.  Problem is i used to work out a lot.  I dont work out much anymore but according to the military and med i am supposed to be aroudn 160-170 lbs.  Well i am around 190 at the moment (fluctuate between 185-199) and i am considered "obese".  I admit i have a bit to lose around my waistline but i have been a 34 inch waist since i got out of the Marine Corps and started working hard.  and still am.  Since i dont work out anymore i probably have 10-15 lbs i could lose, but with the yard work i can do i do still maintain a lot of the muscle i had.  anyways that being said, it doesnt matter, the VA considers my BMI to high.
This can be a major issue with Sleep Apnea as the VA often just denies claims saying "you are a male with a larger neck and a few lbs to lose so thats the cause of it"
I am going to attack this claim with a pincer move on both flanks.
I am going to include all the studies that link it to PTSD as well as any BVA/CAVC decisions that have supported this (none at the moment but will link to them below as i find them)
I am also going to attack the "its not SC because you have a big neck and a few lbs to lose" by including all the side effects of the medications i have been prescribed over the years.
Many of these from Naproxen, IBprufen, Robaxin for my headaches and back all list that Sleep disturbance and weight gain are side effects. 
 
I am trying to figure out the best way to attack the SA Service connection issue.  I am convinced its a PTSD/TBI issue.  The fatigue issues didnt come into play until around 2005.  that was the end of my second deployment and where i got hit by the IED.
I have not been DX'd with TBI so i am wondering what peoples ideas on the route i should take, i am NOT going to file under secondary to, just regular and let the VA make that decision but should i ...
1) PTSD route
2) TBI route (but then i would have to wait for TBI to be DX'd in my next claim to go up)
3) medications as in the very least aggravating it.
 
Personally i want to just file this at the same time as my TBI claim in the next few months and just send all the literature and evidence of it being linked to PTSD and/or TBI along with the medications and their side effects as well as of course my lay statements of the sleep issues my wife has seen in the last 5 years since being married, and importantly buddy statments from what htey say when i was in at that time.
 
My worry is that if i bring up the medications that they will jsut DX it for the medications then try to drop it once i move off those meds at some point (hopefully get off them?)
 
Prevalence of Sleep Disorders Among Soldiers With Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - Orr.pdf
Sleep Disorders and Associated Medical Comorbidities in Active Duty Military.pdf
Sleep Disorders in US Military Personnel.pdf
Association of Psychiatric Disorders and Sleep Apnea in a Large Cohort.pdf