What is a secondary claim?

Asked by: Shanny Jaskolski  |  Last update: September 19, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)

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.

What is needed for a secondary VA claim?

Requirements for Establishing a Secondary Service-Connected Disability
  1. Evidence of the diagnosis of your secondary condition, and.
  2. Medical nexus evidence linking your primary condition to the secondary condition.

How does the VA rate secondary claims?

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 long does a secondary VA claim take?

If your application is denied and you want to complete the appeals process, it will take approximately 125 days for a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review and more than one year for a Board Hearing.

What is a secondary disability?

A secondary disability is when a service-connected disability has caused or has aggravated a new or pre-existing condition, illness, or injury. VA Disability compensation can often extend beyond an original military service-connected injury as long as there is sufficient medical evidence.

High Value Secondary VA Claims: VA Benefits for Secondary Conditions

22 related questions found

What is an example of a secondary disability?

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.

What are the secondary conditions?

Secondary conditions have been defined as "Those physical, medical, cognitive, emotional, or psychosocial consequences to which persons with disabilities are more susceptible by virtue of an underlying condition, including adverse outcomes in health, wellness, participation, and quality of life" (Hough, 1999, p. 186).

How far back does VA pay for secondary claims?

It can use either the date on which you submitted your VA disability benefits claim, or if your condition developed a long time before, the VA can choose to grant you back pay all the way back to the onset of your medical condition or physical disability.

Does the VA ever pay secondary?

Is VA ever a secondary payer? VA may be a secondary payer for unauthorized emergent claims under 38 U.S.C. §1725 when remaining liability to the Veteran is not a copayment or similar payment.

What disabilities can the VA not prove?

No, there aren't any VA disability claims that cannot be proven. In fact, all VA claims must be proven on an “at least as likely as not” basis.

What does a secondary condition mean in the VA?

By definition, secondary service-connected disabilities are caused by service-connected disabilities. That means a veteran who wishes to pursue a VA secondary service connection claim must first establish a primary service connection. Secondary conditions often develop later–sometimes years later.

Can I claim anxiety secondary to PTSD?

Veterans with PTSD offer suffer from additional mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. However, a Veteran can't receive compensation for the same symptoms twice.

Is high blood pressure a VA disability?

For the VA to consider disability benefits for hypertension, you must file a claim. The VA will likely request a Compensation and Pension exam. The examining physician will schedule readings be taken two or more times on at least three different days. The readings must be 160/90 or higher for hypertension.

What is the highest VA disability rating for anxiety?

A veteran with a diagnosed, service-connected anxiety disorder may be rated from 0% to 100% disabled.

What are common VA claims secondary to PTSD?

Migraine headaches, post-traumatic headaches, and tension headaches are all common in veterans and can be claimed secondary to mental health conditions, tinnitus, TBI, sinusitis/rhinitis, and and even neck and back injuries.

Can you claim erectile dysfunction on secondary VA?

Additionally, erectile dysfunction can be related to another service-connected disabling condition like diabetes or post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, you may be able to claim the condition as a secondary disability.

How much back pay will the VA give?

The amount of back pay a veteran receives depends on the effective date of their claim, and the disability rating they are granted from the VA. The effective date is the date the payments should begin. The other factor, the disability rating determines how much money was owed.

How far will the VA back pay?

Furthermore, VA will only grant benefits back to the date of discharge for service members who apply for benefits within a year of their military discharge. As mentioned above, the effective date is most often the same date that VA received the veteran's claim.

What are secondary claims for back VA?

Applying for Secondary Benefits from the VA

Veterans who have developed secondary disabilities related to back pain may be eligible for additional benefits. To qualify for secondary VA disability benefits, veterans must establish a link between their original disability and current health conditions.

What is the lump sum payout for VA disability?

Disability severance pay is a one- time lump sum payment. The amount equals 2 months of basic pay for each year of service which includes active service and inactive duty points, but the total service years cannot exceed 19 years.

At what age does VA disability stop?

Most veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have a disability connected to their service are eligible for veterans disability benefits. Generally speaking, as a veteran, you can receive disability benefits for the rest of your life, as long as you remain disabled.

What is the number 1 cause of disability?

In the United States, pain, depression, and anxiety are among the most common causes of years lived with disability (YLD). disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, conduct disorder, and other mental and substance abuse.

What are the VA secondary conditions to knee pain?

Common Secondary Conditions to Knee Pain

Limitation of flexion or extension of the knee, which have diagnostic codes 5260 and 5261, respectively. Instability of the knee, diagnostic code 5257. Ankylosis of the knee, diagnostic code 5256. Total knee replacements, diagnostic code 5055.

What is the difference between primary and secondary conditions?

A primary disability is an injury, illness, or condition that develops as a result of military service. As mentioned, a secondary disability is a condition that develops later because of the primary disability. These secondary conditions can be more expensive than the primary conditions.