Many veterans are familiar with the concept of service-connected disabilities—those injuries or illnesses directly linked to military service. However, less understood are secondary service-connected disabilities: conditions that develop as a result of an already established service-connected disability. Recognizing and filing for secondary disabilities can significantly increase a veteran’s overall disability rating and benefits. In this article, we’ll explore what secondary service-connected disabilities are, how they impact VA benefits, and how veterans can maximize their compensation by understanding this important aspect of the VA claims process.
What Are Secondary Service-Connected Disabilities?
A secondary service-connected disability is a condition that arises because of or is aggravated by an existing service-connected condition. In other words, while the condition itself may not be directly related to military service, it is still considered compensable because it stems from a primary service-connected disability.
For example:
•A veteran with a service-connected knee injury may develop chronic back pain over time because the altered gait from the knee injury puts extra strain on their back. In this case, the back pain would be considered a secondary service-connected disability.
•A veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop hypertension (high blood pressure) due to the stress and anxiety associated with PTSD. The hypertension would be considered a secondary condition.
Understanding the link between primary and secondary conditions is key to ensuring that veterans receive full compensation for all of their service-related health issues.
Common Examples of Secondary Disabilities
There are many conditions that can develop as secondary disabilities, depending on the nature of the primary service-connected disability. Some common examples include:
1. Orthopedic Injuries
•Veterans with joint or bone injuries (such as to the knees, hips, or spine) may develop secondary conditions in other parts of the body. For instance, a veteran with a service-connected leg injury may develop arthritis or pain in the opposite leg due to compensating for the injury.
2. Mental Health Conditions
•Mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression can lead to secondary physical conditions, including gastrointestinal issues (like irritable bowel syndrome), sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea), and cardiovascular problems (like hypertension).
3. Medication Side Effects
•Many veterans take medication to manage their primary service-connected conditions. Over time, these medications can lead to secondary issues, such as liver damage, kidney problems, or gastrointestinal issues caused by long-term use of painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs.
4. Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
•Veterans with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing loss may develop secondary conditions like depression, anxiety, or balance disorders due to the impact these conditions have on their daily lives.
Veterans Valor assists veterans in identifying potential secondary disabilities that may qualify for additional compensation.
How Secondary Disabilities Affect Your VA Disability Rating
One of the most significant benefits of recognizing secondary disabilities is that they can increase your overall disability rating. The VA uses a combined rating system to account for multiple conditions. When a veteran is awarded a secondary disability rating, that percentage is added to their primary disability rating using the VA’s combined ratings table, which could result in higher monthly compensation.
For example:
•A veteran with a primary service-connected disability rated at 50% may be awarded an additional 30% for a secondary disability. However, the combined rating won’t simply be 80%. Instead, the VA applies a specific formula to determine the combined rating, which might result in a rating closer to 65-70%, depending on the conditions.
Veterans Valor works with veterans to calculate their combined ratings and ensure they are receiving the appropriate compensation for all their service-connected conditions.
Filing a Claim for Secondary Service-Connected Disabilities
Filing a claim for a secondary disability is similar to filing for a primary service-connected disability, but there are some key steps involved:
1. Establishing a Primary Service-Connected Disability
•Before filing for a secondary disability, veterans must have an established service-connected disability. The secondary condition must be linked to the primary condition, so proving the connection is essential.
2. Medical Evidence
•As with primary disabilities, medical evidence is crucial for secondary claims. Veterans need to provide medical records, doctor’s statements, or specialist reports that explain how the secondary condition is linked to the primary service-connected disability.
For instance, if a veteran is claiming secondary back pain due to a knee injury, a doctor’s report explaining the biomechanical impact of the knee injury on the veteran’s posture and spine can be invaluable in supporting the claim.
3. Nexus Letters
•A nexus letter is a key piece of evidence in secondary claims. This is a statement from a medical professional that clearly links the secondary condition to the primary service-connected disability. The nexus letter must explain, in medical terms, why the secondary condition is “more likely than not” related to the primary condition.
Veterans Valor helps veterans obtain detailed and accurate nexus letters to support their secondary disability claims.
4. C&P Exams
•Veterans filing for secondary conditions may need to undergo a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. This exam assesses the severity of the secondary condition and helps the VA determine an appropriate disability rating.
Maximizing Your Compensation with Secondary Disabilities
Maximizing your compensation involves more than just understanding the VA’s rating system—it also means being proactive about recognizing and filing for secondary conditions that may develop over time. Veterans should regularly review their health status, especially as they age, and be mindful of any new conditions that could be linked to their service-connected disabilities.
Tips for Veterans:
•Monitor Your Health: Pay attention to any new symptoms or conditions that develop, even if they seem unrelated to your military service. If you suspect a connection between a new condition and your service-connected disability, seek medical advice and document everything.
•Stay Informed: Stay updated on medical research and VA regulations regarding secondary conditions. Some conditions that were previously not considered service-connected may be recognized later as more evidence emerges.
•Seek Professional Help: The VA claims process can be challenging, especially when it comes to proving secondary conditions. Seeking help from experienced professionals like Veterans Valor can ensure that you gather the right evidence, file your claim correctly, and maximize your benefits.
Appealing a Denied Secondary Claim
If the VA denies your secondary claim, you have the right to appeal the decision. Veterans can file a supplemental claim with new evidence, request a higher-level review, or take their case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Secondary claims are often denied because the VA does not find sufficient evidence linking the secondary condition to the primary service-connected disability, so it’s important to present as much supporting documentation as possible.
Veterans Valor assists veterans in appealing denied claims, helping them gather additional evidence and prepare for the appeals process.
Conclusion
Secondary service-connected disabilities are an important and often overlooked part of the VA benefits process. By understanding how these conditions develop and how they impact your disability rating, veterans can ensure they receive the full compensation they deserve. At Veterans Valor, we are dedicated to helping veterans identify and file for secondary conditions, guiding them through every step of the process to maximize their benefits. Whether you’re just starting your claim or need help with an appeal, we’re here to support you on your journey to securing the benefits you’ve earned through your service.
