Understanding Secondary Conditions in VA Disability Benefits: What Veterans Need to Know

When veterans file for VA disability compensation, the focus is often on the injuries or illnesses that began during their military service. But what many veterans don’t realize is that the VA also provides disability benefits for secondary conditions—health issues that develop as a result of an already service-connected disability. Recognizing and claiming secondary conditions can significantly increase a veteran’s compensation rating and ensure they receive support for all the ways their service-connected disabilities affect their lives.

Secondary conditions are an important part of the VA disability system, yet they are often overlooked, misunderstood, or not clearly explained. This guide breaks down what secondary conditions are, how veterans can qualify for them, and which secondary disabilities are most commonly rated by the VA.

What Are Secondary Conditions?

A secondary condition is a medical condition that is caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability. In other words, even if a condition did not begin during military service, it may still qualify for VA disability compensation if it developed because of a service-connected issue.

Examples of How Secondary Conditions Develop:

• A veteran with service-connected knee injuries develops hip or back problems because of altered walking mechanics.

• A veteran taking medication for a service-connected disability develops gastrointestinal problems or weight gain as a side effect.

• A veteran with PTSD later develops sleep apnea or substance use disorder linked to their mental health symptoms.

• A veteran with diabetes develops peripheral neuropathy or kidney disease years later.

In all these examples, the VA allows compensation for the secondary disability because it is directly connected to an existing service-connected condition.

How Do Veterans Prove Secondary Conditions?

To successfully claim a secondary condition, a veteran needs three key components:

1. A Current Diagnosis

The secondary condition must be formally diagnosed by a licensed medical professional.

2. A Primary Service-Connected Disability

The original disability must already be recognized by the VA.

3. A Medical Nexus (Linking Explanation)

A doctor must explain that the secondary condition is:

• caused by the primary disability, or

• worsened or aggravated by the primary disability

A strong nexus statement is often the most important part of winning a secondary claim because it establishes the connection that the VA requires.