The Importance of Secondary Conditions in VA Disability Claims

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Understanding Secondary Conditions
Written by Brittany Willis, Veterans Advocate [full article here]

Secondary disabilities are important in VA compensation claims, occurring when a service-connected disability causes or aggravates another condition. 

There are two main categories: 

• secondary service connection 

• secondary service connection by aggravation 

For example, veterans with diabetes can claim secondary conditions like stroke or kidney failure.

To file a claim, veterans need evidence showing the primary disability caused or aggravated the secondary condition. 

This often requires nexus letters from medical professionals. 

Notably, conditions like flat feet leading to aggravated rheumatoid arthritis highlight the importance of medical documentation and proper filing to avoid delays and denials.

Filing Tips:

• Ensure all primary conditions are documented and acknowledged by the VA.

• Show treatment for primary and secondary conditions.

• Gather statements from treating physicians to support claims.

When to File:

• If symptoms of a new condition appear.

• A doctor suggests a likelihood of developing a secondary condition.

• Observations from others indicate secondary symptoms.

Remember, not all secondary conditions will receive a rating. 

It's crucial to file correctly and seek assistance from representatives to maximize your benefits.

Common Secondary Conditions

Below are some of the most common secondary conditions recognized by the VA. 

If you suffer from any of these conditions, make sure you are getting the support you need.

• Psychiatric Problems (depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc.): oftentimes severe disabilities can cause worry, anxiety, stress or depression depending on the nature of the disability and the amount of pain you are in/impact on your day-to-day life.

• Headaches (migraines): can stem from other service-related disabilities like PTSD, physical problems like back injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and more.

• Foot problems due to back injuries: back injuries can often cause foot problems because of overcompensation. This can cause issues with posture and mobility, which can qualify a veteran to have their rating raised by the VA.

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): a lot of mental health medications can cause this side effect, as well as opioids or pain medications. It can also be secondary to psychiatric disabilities, or using obesity as an intermediate step.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD is another common condition caused by medicine. Veterans who are taking medications for back, knee or joint pain may develop GERD as a result. If a veterans GERD was caused by medications they were taking for another service-connected condition, they can get secondary service connection for GERD. GERD can also be caused by mental health conditions like PTSD and depression.

• Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea has a variety of causes, including PTSD, depression and other trauma related disorders. If your service connected disabilities prevent you from working or weight-gain is a side effect for a medication you’re taking, obesity can be used as an intermediate step to connecting sleep apnea as a secondary condition.

• Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, is another very common condition in veterans that can be caused from noise exposure to medications, and is often connected with various other conditions like insomnia or depression.

Want to learn more from our team?

Attorney’s Melanie and Ursula discuss 3 secondary claims that could help increase your rating and how to get service connected for them in this educational YouTube short.

🗺️ TACTICS

This week, we’re back to another VA Disability Benefits trivia question.

We’re asking you a common question asked by veterans about secondary conditions that you should be aware of. Do you know the answer?

Check out the question below and check out next week to find out more information.

In Their Words…

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