Chapter 1

Introduction to Secondary Conditions

Veterans with service-connected disabilities often develop additional health conditions as a result of their primary service-connected conditions. These are known as secondary conditions, and they can significantly increase your VA disability rating and monthly compensation. Understanding how to identify and successfully claim these secondary conditions is crucial for receiving the full benefits you deserve.

Unlike primary conditions that are directly connected to your military service, secondary conditions occur because of the effects, complications, or treatment of your primary service-connected conditions. The VA recognizes these connections and provides compensation when properly documented.

What are Secondary Conditions?

Secondary conditions are medical issues that develop as a result of an already service-connected disability. These conditions may develop immediately after the primary condition or may take years to manifest.

Definition

A secondary condition is a disability that is proximately due to, or the result of, a service-connected disease or injury. This includes conditions that are aggravated (worsened beyond natural progression) by a service-connected condition.

For example, if you have a service-connected knee injury that causes you to alter your gait (the way you walk), and this altered gait leads to lower back problems, the back condition may qualify as a secondary condition to your knee injury. Similarly, if you take medication for a service-connected condition that causes gastrointestinal issues, those issues may qualify as secondary conditions.

Why Secondary Conditions Matter

Understanding secondary conditions is crucial for several reasons:

Increased Compensation: Each additional condition that receives a VA disability rating increases your overall combined rating, potentially resulting in significantly higher monthly compensation.
Improved Healthcare: Getting secondary conditions service-connected ensures VA coverage for treatment related to those conditions.
Better Quality of Life: Proper recognition and treatment of all your service-connected conditions, including secondary ones, can lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life.
Full Recognition: Having all your service-connected conditions properly documented ensures you receive the full recognition and benefits for the sacrifices you made in service.

Common Misconceptions About Secondary Conditions

There are several misconceptions about secondary conditions that can prevent veterans from pursuing the benefits they deserve:

Misconception: Secondary conditions must develop immediately

Reality: Secondary conditions can develop months or years after the primary condition. There is no time limit for filing these claims.

Misconception: Secondary conditions are less important

Reality: Secondary conditions receive the same compensation rates as primary conditions. A 30% rating for a secondary condition provides the same benefits as a 30% rating for a primary condition.

Misconception: Secondary claims are automatically denied

Reality: When properly documented with strong medical evidence, secondary claims have a good chance of approval. The key is establishing the medical connection.

Misconception: You need direct proof of causation

Reality: The VA’s standard is “at least as likely as not” (50% or greater possibility) that the secondary condition is related to the primary condition.

Two Pathways for Secondary Service Connection

There are two primary legal pathways for establishing secondary service connection:

1. Causation

Your service-connected condition directly caused a new condition to develop.

Example: Your service-connected diabetes caused peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) in your extremities.

2. Aggravation

Your service-connected condition permanently worsened a non-service-connected condition beyond its natural progression.

Example: Your service-connected back condition aggravated your non-service-connected arthritis, causing it to progress more rapidly than it would have otherwise.

Understanding these pathways helps you determine which approach to take when filing your secondary claims. We’ll explore both in greater detail in subsequent chapters.

Chapter Summary

Secondary conditions are medical issues that develop as a result of an already service-connected disability or its treatment.
Successfully claiming secondary conditions can significantly increase your overall VA disability rating and monthly compensation.
Secondary conditions can be established through either causation or aggravation pathways.
There is no time limit for filing secondary condition claims; they can develop and be claimed years after the primary condition.
The VA’s standard for proving connection is “at least as likely as not” (50% or greater probability).

Chapter 1: Introduction to Secondary Conditions