The Most Common Secondary Conditions for Veterans
A secondary condition is one caused or exacerbated by a veteran’s service-connected disability. Veterans who have developed secondary conditions might be eligible for an increased VA disability rating.
- Veterans with service-connected disabilities often develop related, secondary conditions.
- Common secondary conditions include heart issues, mental health challenges, sleep disorders, and musculoskeletal and neurological problems.
- Claiming secondary conditions may generate better health outcomes, a higher disability rating, increased compensation, and additional benefits.
Veterans experience a wide range of common secondary conditions related to their primary disabilities. If you have received a VA disability rating for a service-connected condition and have developed any of these secondary conditions, you may qualify for a rating increase. Veterans Guide can help you pursue an increase and access the additional benefits you deserve.
The Link Between Primary Disabilities and Secondary Conditions
Veterans often develop one or more secondary conditions caused or contributed to by a primary service-connected injury or illness. These secondary conditions may affect both your physical and mental health. For example, a back injury could prompt other musculoskeletal conditions. Similarly, certain disabilities can cause sleep apnea, while physical trauma can lead to the development of mental health conditions.
The VA recognizes that multiple, related conditions can impact a veteran’s ability to work and perform daily activities, and allows disability claims for secondary conditions. Veterans who are proactive about their health can seek treatment for one problem that can alleviate others and file for additional benefits.
The Most Common Secondary Conditions Veterans Claim
A myriad of conditions can arise following a service-related disability, making it challenging to create a comprehensive list of secondary claims. However, there are common secondary conditions that stem from stress and/or physical injuries associated with military service.
Musculoskeletal Issues
Arthritis, degenerative disc disease, tendonitis, and muscle strain are some secondary conditions that may develop due to primary disabilities such as back, shoulder, or knee injuries. These secondary conditions can cause further complications.
For example, a veteran may receive a VA disability rating for a spinal fracture that limits movement. This injury can result in secondary, chronic back pain, which in turn can cause conditions secondary to back pain, such as sleep disorders.
Mental Health Challenges
Veterans who were injured during their service may develop secondary anxiety disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder, frequently called PTSD. Left untreated, problems with your mental health can severely impact your quality of life and may increase the risk of new health problems such as stroke, heart attack, and diabetes.
Chronic Pain Syndromes
Conditions such as fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome can arise from service-related injuries, infections, and PTSD. You also may experience chronic pain after surgery to treat a primary disability, such as a spinal fracture.
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia is frequently linked to physical and mental health service-related disabilities. You also may endure sleep apnea secondary to tinnitus or sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, which qualify as secondary conditions. If you wake up tired, snore loudly, or experience other symptoms, see your doctor to determine if your disability caused a sleep disorder.
Cardiovascular Issues
Several service-related primary disabilities, such as diabetes, chronic pain, or PTSD, can cause high blood pressure or heart disease. These secondary conditions may incite worse health outcomes than your primary disability. According to a 2025 American Heart Association fact sheet, heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
Neurological Conditions
If you experienced head or neck injuries during your service, you may develop secondary conditions such as nerve damage, migraines, or vertigo. These problems can be serious and cause extreme pain, difficulty concentrating at work, and trouble driving or completing daily tasks. Vertigo-associated disorders can also lead to falls, which can cause further problems, such as fractures.
How Secondary Conditions Affect Daily Life and Long-Term Health
Disabled veterans face the cascading effects of primary and secondary disabilities. Combined impacts include the following:
- Chronic health problems
- Complications in treatment
- A poor long-term prognosis
- Employment challenges
- Difficulty completing and enjoying daily activities
When secondary conditions develop, you may need more doctor visits, additional treatment, or even long-term care. But poor long-term outcomes are not inevitable. Understanding the ripple effect of secondary conditions can inspire you to seek comprehensive health management that improves your quality of life.
Preventative Measures for Secondary Conditions
Recognition of secondary conditions can help you manage them and, sometimes, prevent them from getting worse. Early intervention and treatment are critical to protecting your overall physical and emotional health.
Get regular checkups and monitor your primary and secondary conditions. If you’ve developed new symptoms, discuss them with your doctor, even if they don’t seem related to your disability. For example, you may develop gastroesophageal reflux disease secondary to PTSD without realizing the connection between the two conditions.
Talk to your health care provider about how to take a comprehensive approach to your care, which may include lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and mental health support. It’s better to overcome any hesitation about treatments than to face the long-term impacts of not getting them.
Increase Your Rating Through Secondary Conditions
Keep track of health changes and address them quickly to get comprehensive treatment for your primary disabilities and secondary conditions. Better health outcomes and protecting your future are your top priorities.
Being proactive about recognizing the most common secondary conditions and getting early diagnoses also informs you when to ask the VA for a more accurate disability rating. To receive the proper compensation and benefits, your rating must reflect the cumulative effects of your service-related health problems. Seek further care and guidance from your health care providers and VA representatives when necessary.
Begin collecting medical evidence to file a new claim for disability benefits for a secondary condition or a supplemental claim if the VA denied your original claim or gave you a low disability rating. Ask your doctor for a nexus letter explaining the connection between your primary disability and secondary condition.
Don’t wait to get the benefits you’ve earned. If you need more information or want assistance with a VA disability claim, contact Veterans Guide today.
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