Secondary Service Connection
Secondary Service Connection
A secondary service connected disability is one that is caused by another disability. For example, if a veteran develops high blood pressure as a result of a service-related disability, his or her hypertension is considered a secondary service connected disability.
Claims for secondary service connections are one of the most frequently filed with the VA. About three-fourths of all claims filed with the VA are from those who already have a claim in progress or who are already receiving benefits.
Categories of Secondary Service Connection Claims
There are currently two types of claims that can be granted for secondary service connections. The first is one that is found to be proximately caused by a service-connected disability. The second is one in which a non-service related disability is aggravated due to a service-connected disability.
In either case, the veteran must show medical evidence that establishes when the injury or illness began, how it progressed, and how it is being treated. These types of claims rely heavily on medical evidence, and having accurate records is very important in establishing a baseline for the claim.
What Happens During the Claim Process?
Once the rating authority has the veteran’s medical information, the following will be reviewed:
- The current level of severity of the injury, illness or condition for the non-service connected claim;
- The medical opinions as to whether the service-connected disability caused or contributed to the development of the non-service connected condition; and
- The medical opinions as to whether the service-connected disability increased the severity of the non-service connected condition.
Secondary disability can be awarded during a primary application for disability. Even if the initial disability is rated at zero percent, the secondary disability may be awarded more. The fact that the initial disability claim was rated zero for disability does not preclude an award based on the secondary disability, which is evaluated separately.
Some of the most common secondary service connection claims are:
- Sciatic nerve damage
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Arteriosclerotic heart disease
- Hypertensive vascular disease
- Renal involvement in systemic diseases
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine
