VA Secondary Conditions
Many veterans receiving VA disability benefits also develop new conditions related to their primary disabling conditions. These conditions, known as secondary conditions, might arise from or become exacerbated by their primary service-connected conditions. Veterans who have developed secondary conditions might be eligible to receive higher monthly benefits with a secondary disability rating.
Veterans Guide can help you increase your VA disability rating and access the additional benefits you need.
On This Page
- What Are Secondary Conditions?
- How Do You Prove a Secondary Condition for VA Disability?
- Common VA Secondary Conditions
- How Are Multiple Ratings Combined?
- How To File a VA Claim for Secondary Conditions
- How Veterans Guide Can Help
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Get Help Filing Your VA Secondary Condition Claim
What Are Secondary Conditions?
A secondary condition is a disabling illness or injury that arises from a service-connected disability. The secondary condition does not necessarily have to be service-connected. It simply must result from or be related to your original service-connected disability.
For example, suppose you have received a VA disability rating for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. If you then develop chronic sleep apnea related to your PTSD symptoms, you might be able to claim sleep apnea as a secondary condition.
If you qualify for a secondary rating, the Department of Veterans Affairs will combine the old and new ratings into a higher one. This higher rating can result in significantly higher monthly disability payments. Filing a claim for a secondary disability rating can be crucial to making sure you get the disability compensation you deserve for all of your disabling conditions.
How Do You Prove a Secondary Condition for VA Disability?
To secure VA disability benefits for a secondary condition, a veteran must demonstrate a clear medical link between their primary service-connected disability and the secondary condition.
Veterans seeking a rating increase for a secondary condition must provide solid evidence, such as doctor’s reports, test results, or treatment records, establishing a link between the two conditions. In addition, a nexus letter from a doctor can help establish the secondary condition by explicitly stating how the service-connected issue led to the secondary one.
However, the VA might still deny your claim even if you submit a nexus letter. Common reasons for denials include inadequate evidence of service connection and insufficient medical evidence.
If you qualify for a secondary rating, the Department of Veterans Affairs will combine the primary condition’s rating and the new one into a higher VA disability rating. This higher rating can result in a significant increase in monthly payments. Filing a claim for a secondary disability rating can be crucial to making sure you get the disability compensation you deserve for all of your disabling conditions.
Common VA Secondary Conditions
VA disability secondary conditions stem from primary issues tied to military service, ranging from physical injuries to mental health struggles or toxic exposures. Many conditions can be classified as VA secondary conditions. For instance, a veteran might develop back pain from a leg injury or gastrointestinal problems from post-traumatic stress disorder medications.
Understanding how these service-connected secondary conditions might develop from a service-connected condition can ensure you receive all the compensation and benefits you deserve.
Secondary Conditions Related to Musculoskeletal Injuries
Musculoskeletal injuries from service can lead to secondary conditions over time. Examples include the following:
- Arthritis due to altered gait from a service-connected knee injury: Veterans with knee injuries often develop arthritis in surrounding joints due to changes in posture and movement. This is a common secondary condition that can significantly impact mobility.
- Back pain caused by compensating for a leg injury: A leg injury can force a veteran to shift weight improperly, leading to chronic back pain.
- Other secondary musculoskeletal conditions: Veterans may also experience neck, hip, foot, or spinal issues caused by long-term physical strain.
Secondary Conditions From Mental Health Disorders
Mental health issues, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can lead to a variety of service-connected secondary conditions. Common examples include the following:
- Sleep apnea tied to PTSD: Nighttime stress from PTSD can worsen breathing, leading to sleep apnea. This condition can further disrupt sleep and overall health.
- Gastrointestinal issues from anxiety: Chronic stress or depression may trigger stomach troubles and lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
- Other mental health-related secondary conditions: Depression and PTSD can also lead to high blood pressure, migraines, or autoimmune disorders.
Secondary Conditions Linked To Toxic Exposure
Toxic exposure in service can kick off VA secondary claims years later. Such conditions frequently result from environmental hazards such as Agent Orange or burn pits. The following are some common secondary conditions linked to illnesses from toxic exposure:
- Kidney disease from Agent Orange: Diabetes linked to Agent Orange exposure might cause kidney issues or bladder cancer.
- Respiratory issues from burn pits: Lung damage from burn pits can lead to broader respiratory problems.
- Other toxic exposure-related secondary conditions: Exposure to asbestos, radiation, or contaminated water can also lead to cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders.
Secondary Conditions From Medication Side Effects
Medications for primary conditions can trigger secondary conditions, too. These side effects can range from mild to severe and may require additional VA disability claims. Examples include the following:
- High blood pressure from PTSD medications: Pills to manage PTSD might exacerbate hypertension.
- Liver damage from long-term medications: Years of VA-prescribed drugs, particularly pain relievers and psychiatric drugs, can harm your liver.
Filing a VA secondary claim starts with linking these to your service. Concrete medical evidence and a VA nexus letter for secondary conditions can increase your chances of approval.
How Are Multiple Ratings Combined?
When awarding secondary disability ratings, the VA uses the Combined Ratings Table to calculate a new total rating that accounts for a veteran’s multiple disabilities.
The calculation process consists of these steps:
- Rank the individual ratings in order from highest to lowest.
- Find the highest rating in the table’s top row.
- Find the second-highest rating in the left-side column.
- Locate the number where the row and column intersect.
- Round that number to the nearest 10 percent.
For example, if you have one 50 percent disability rating and one 30 percent rating, you would find the intersection of those numbers at 65 percent. Because you’re rounding up to the nearest 10 percent, you would receive a 70 percent combined disability rating.
For veterans with more than two disability percentages, the steps continue:
- Find the intersecting number you just found on the left-hand column of the table.
- Find your lowest disability rating on the top row.
- Locate that new intersecting number and round to the nearest 10 percent.
The Combined Ratings Table is complicated, and calculating your total rating on your own can be difficult. The VA Disability Calculator on our website can help you quickly estimate your eligibility.
TDIU for Multiple Disabilities and the 70% Threshold
For veterans who don’t have a 100 percent disability rating but still can’t find substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected disabilities, the VA offers Total Disability Individual Unemployability benefits or TDIU. TDIU benefits are intended to help veterans who aren’t considered totally disabled but still can’t hold jobs as a result of their injury or illness.
To qualify for TDIU, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You have one service-related disability rated at 60 percent or higher.
- You have multiple service-related disabilities with a combined rating of 70 percent, with one condition rated at least 40 percent disabling.
Thus, if you can meet the threshold, you may be eligible for benefits equal to what you’d receive with a 100 percent disability rating.
How To File a VA Claim for Secondary Conditions
Filing a VA secondary claim requires clear medical documentation linking a secondary condition to a service-connected disability. Take the following steps to file your claim for a secondary condition:
- Gather medical evidence: Collect doctor’s notes, test results, or treatment records that link your primary condition to the secondary one.
- File VA Form 21-526EZ: Submit this form to file a new claim for VA disability compensation. This is your first formal step with the VA.
- Submit a nexus letter: A doctor’s letter stating your secondary condition stems from your service-connected issue can boost your chances.
- C&P exam: The VA may schedule a Compensation and Pension exam to assess your condition. Be ready to explain how your primary issue connects to the new one.
You must provide evidence that demonstrates how your condition developed or worsened due to your primary disability.
What if Your VA Secondary Condition Claim Is Denied?
A denied VA secondary condition claim isn’t the end—you’ve got options to fight back. The VA might find you made a technical error in the application, your evidence is insufficient, or the link to your primary condition isn’t clear. However, you can contest the denial. Here’s what to do:
- Submit new evidence: Obtain fresh medical records or a stronger nexus letter to support your VA secondary claim. More proof can change the outcome.
- File an appeal: If the denial sticks, you have the right to appeal the decision.
- Seek legal assistance: A skilled VA disability lawyer can gather evidence, file appeals, and ask medical professionals for nexus letters.
How Veterans Guide Can Help
Filing a secondary condition claim can be challenging, even for experienced veterans. Many struggle to prove the link between their primary and secondary conditions. Veterans Guide can connect you with experienced VA disability lawyers and advocates who can help with the following:
- Gathering medical documentation: We can assist you in collecting doctor’s notes, test results, and records that show how your primary condition caused the secondary one.
- Connecting veterans with medical professionals for nexus letters: We link you with experts who can write exceptional nexus letters, tying your conditions together.
- Guiding veterans through the claim and appeal process: Our lawyers will represent you through every step of the process, offering professional advice and advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a Secondary Condition Be Rated Higher Than a Primary Condition?
Yes. The VA rates disabilities based on severity, so a secondary condition can sometimes be rated higher than the primary one alone. The VA uses its Combined Ratings Table to calculate a new total rating that accounts for a veteran’s multiple disabilities.
Can You Receive Benefits for Multiple Secondary Conditions?
Yes. Veterans can receive benefits for multiple secondary conditions as long as each condition is properly documented and linked to the primary service-connected disability. These conditions can collectively contribute to a higher overall disability rating.
How Long Does It Take for the VA to Approve a Secondary Condition Claim?
The timeline for approval varies, but it typically takes several months. Factors such as the complexity of the claim, the need for additional evidence, and the VA’s current backlog can impact processing times.
Get Help Filing Your VA Secondary Condition Claim
Are you struggling with a denied VA secondary conditions claim or looking to increase your rating through secondary issues? Veterans Guide has your back. Don’t wait to claim what’s yours — contact us now for personalized help with your case.
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