A secondary condition is a health problem that is brought on or worsened by a primary service-connected disability. Having a secondary condition can raise your VA disability rating and entitle you to additional benefits payments.
As long as you establish a clear medical link between your conditions, your secondary condition does not have to be directly connected to your military service. If you need help understanding how secondary conditions work or pursuing all the benefits you’re entitled to, call the experienced veterans disability lawyers at Rob Levine Law today at (888) 791-9135.
What Are Some Common Secondary Conditions?
The following are examples of common service-connected disabilities and the secondary conditions most frequently associated with them:
- If you have head or neck injuries, you may develop nerve damage, migraines, or vertigo.
- If you’ve been diagnosed with back, shoulder, or knee injuries, you could be at risk for arthritis, degenerative disc disease, tendonitis, and other musculoskeletal issues.
- If you have a mentally draining disability such as tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, or migraines, it may lead to disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia.
- If you were wounded during service, you may develop mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, or PTSD.
Other common secondary conditions include arthritis, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, heart disease, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal diseases.
How Do I Determine If I Have a Secondary Condition?
Ask yourself the following questions: “Am I experiencing new symptoms? Is my existing service-related injury starting to cause different problems?” If so, you may have developed a secondary condition. The strain of living with your disability over time can lead to other related issues, such as falling into depression after years of coping with chronic pain, or developing insomnia from worsening tinnitus.
Getting evaluated by a medical professional can help you determine whether you have a new secondary condition and establish its relationship to your service-connected disability.
How Do I File a Claim for a Secondary Condition?
Filing a claim for a secondary condition is like filing a claim for a new service-connected disability. The following are the typical steps of the claim process:
- Step 1: Gather medical evidence. Get a new medical evaluation if you haven’t already, and collect medical records and doctors’ notes to support your service connection.
- Step 2: Complete the VA claim form. You can submit an intent to file to set an earlier effective date for benefits, allowing you to recover back pay if approved. Rob Levine Law can help you fill out your forms and complete all steps of the process.
- Step 3: Wait for VA review. The VA will first determine whether all the basic information in your claim is correct, and then will evaluate the evidence included and determine whether it needs more evidence. Key supporting documents include your medical records, a “nexus letter” from a doctor, and “buddy statements.”
- Step 4: Receive a decision. If the VA approves your claim, it will assign a disability rating to your secondary condition and factor it into your overall VA rating.
How Can Rob Levine Law Help With My VA Secondary Condition Claim?
Many initial VA benefits claims are denied, but the experienced veterans disability team at Rob Levine Law has the skill and know-how to get vets like you the approval you deserve. Our trusted lawyers can help you prove a secondary service connection to potentially increase your VA rating.
Our firm has over 75 years of combined experience handling veterans disability claims, helping more than 50,000 people recover over $2 billion in overall compensation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call and answer your questions, and with our Fee Free Guarantee®, you won’t pay us anything unless you win your case.
Contact us online or call (888) 791-9135 today for a free consultation.
