Can I claim a secondary disability the same time as my disability?

You can file a secondary claim to get more disability benefits for a new disability that's linked to a service-connected disability you already have. For example, you might file a secondary claim if you: Develop arthritis that's caused by a service-connected knee injury you got while on active duty, or.

Do you need a diagnosis for a secondary condition?

There must be a diagnosis of the new/aggravated illness or injury before you can file the claim. For example, you can't file for blindness secondary to diabetes just because you may go blind, only once you have already gone blind.

What are examples of secondary conditions?

In the clinical and research literature, frequently mentioned secondary conditions include arthritis, pain, pressure ulcers, fatigue, depression, contractures, and urinary tract infections. The risk of developing a particular secondary condition, however, depends in part on a person's primary condition.

How do you prove a secondary service connection?

Medical records are critical to this type of claim. The veteran must furnish medical evidence of the current level of severity of the non-service connected disability and medical evidence of its level of severity prior to the point at which it was being aggravated by the service-connected disability.

What is the definition of secondary disability?

In simple terms, a secondary service-connected disability is a disability caused by another service-related disability. For example, hypertension is the most common chronic condition among veterans.

Must Do for Secondary Conditions! Win your VA Disability Compensation Claim

What is an example of a secondary disability?

It's considered a secondary disability when it's due to another condition connected to your service or a side effect of medication. For example, depression may stem from physical conditions such as erectile dysfunction. Parkinson's disease and cancer are also linked to an increased risk of major depression.

How do secondary claims work?

You can file a secondary claim to get more disability benefits for a new disability that's linked to a service-connected disability you already have. For example, you might file a secondary claim if you: Develop arthritis that's caused by a service-connected knee injury you got while on active duty, or.

How do I file a secondary condition?

To file for secondary service-connected disability benefits, you use either VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits or VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim.

What is a secondary condition to a service-connected disability?

A secondary condition, according to the VA, is any physical or psychological problem that is worsened by a service-related disability. A secondary condition could have been something a veteran suffered from before they entered the military that was worsened by a service-related injury.

What is the most approved disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

How are secondary claims calculated?

Secondary Claim Collection Rate is calculated by dividing the total amount collected from secondary insurance claims by the total amount billed to secondary insurance carriers, and then multiplying the result by 100 to express it as a percentage.

What are the most common secondary conditions among individuals with physical disabilities?

Secondary condition can be defined as “any additional physical or mental health condition that occurs as a result of having a primary disabling condition.”⁵ Common secondary conditions may include bowel or bladder problems, fatigue, injury, depression, obesity, pain, and pressure sores or ulcers.

What is a secondary condition to lower back pain?

Some secondary conditions resulting from back pain include: Radiculopathy. Radiculopathy occurs when the nerves in the lower back are compressed. This can cause a range of symptoms such as sharp pain that shoots and radiates in the lower back down into the legs, weakness, and numbness.

What are secondary disabilities to PTSD?

Some examples of conditions secondary to PTSD are sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, migraines, and erectile dysfunction. You can receive additional VA disability compensation for each of these conditions if you show they are related to your service-connected PTSD.

What disabilities are secondary to sleep apnea?

What conditions are secondary to knee pain?

Knee pain, therefore, is also frequently linked to many secondary conditions, including but not limited to: Foot injuries and pain. Ankle injuries and pain. Hip injuries and pain.

How are secondary service connected disabilities rated?

If your application is approved, your secondary condition will be rated with the VASRD (Veteran Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities) scale that is used to apply ratings to all disabilities based on the severity of symptoms.

How do I prove my disability is service connected?

For a condition to be considered service-connected, its connection to service MUST be clearly documented in an official record, like a medical record, while the service member is still in the military (except, of course, Conditions Caused by Service-Connected Conditions), or it will not be eligible to receive Military ...

How do I prove I have a service connected disability?

How do you prove arthritis is service connected?

He need only prove that it is more likely than not that the arthritis is related to military service. He can do that with an expert medical opinion or with competent and credible lay testimony of continuous symptoms of pain or arthritis in the joint from service to diagnosis.

What is a Nexus letter for secondary conditions?

A Nexus Letter is a strong form of proof that can bridge gaps in a condition's link to military service. For secondary conditions (conditions caused by other conditions), a Nexus Letter must clearly detail how the current condition was caused by the original.

How long does it take for a supplemental claim to be approved?

How long does a Supplemental Claim take? Note: Our goal for completing a Supplemental Claim is 125 days.

What is the difference between primary condition and secondary condition?

What Do Primary and Secondary Mean? In medicine, “primary” is used to describe a condition that's not caused by a different medical condition, while “secondary” means it is a consequence of another condition.

What are the secondary conditions to neck pain?

Examples of secondary conditions associated with neck pain include radiculopathy, due to a compressed nerve in the cervical spine, and migraine headaches.

Can I file a primary and secondary VA claim at the same time?

Each condition a veteran has must be claimed individually. However, it is often advantageous to file all of your claims together, particularly when they involve related issues.