[Secondary Condition Claim]

I did file for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and my C&P exam is Th.  An internet search turned up decisions in three cases appealing reductions in diabetes rating from 40% to 20%.  Two were over turned because the veteran was never specifically told he was cleared for strenuous activities.  In the other, the veteran didn't meet the criteria for 40% and VA was correcting their mistake.

[Secondary Condition Claim]

Thanks for your response.  I'm filing for a secondary condition, not for an increase in diabetes rating.  If the VA and reduces diabetes rating from 40% and awards the secondary condition at 10%, my net benefit (including loss of concurrent receipt of retirement pay) goes from $937 to $100.

The 40% rating requires restrictions against strenuous activities.  When VA reads recommendations to exercise, they say restriction of activities is voluntary, not medically necessary.  When that rating was increased from 20% to 40%, the exercise recommendation was light to moderate exercise at own pace.  Avoid strenuous exercise to reduce risk of hypos.  I supported with several; months of BG readings.  When I ask for same similar wording, some endos and   physicians give a strange look and say something like "Well, you don't have to exercise that hard".

 

[Secondary Condition Claim]

Will or can filing a claim for a secondary condition result in review of of the underlying condition with risk of downgrade of the rating for the underlying condition?  In my case the secondary condition is diabetic peripheral neuropathy.