Secondary Service-Connected Disabilities: What They Are and How to File for Them

If you’re a Veteran receiving VA disability benefits, you may already be familiar with service-connected conditions — injuries or illnesses directly related to your time in the military. But did you know you could receive additional compensation for new conditions that stem from an existing one?

These are called secondary service-connected disabilities, and they’re one of the most underutilized paths to increasing your VA rating, back pay, and monthly compensation.

At Increase Your VA Benefits, we help Veterans identify, document, and file successful secondary claims—because you deserve to be fully compensated for the full impact of your service.

What Are Secondary Service-Connected Disabilities?

A secondary condition is a new disability or health issue that developed as a result of a service-connected condition. The VA recognizes that one health issue can often lead to another—physically, mentally, or even due to the side effects of treatment.

For example:

• A Veteran rated for PTSD develops sleep apnea as a result of medication and chronic anxiety.

• A Veteran with a service-connected knee injury later suffers from back pain due to altered gait.

• Chronic pain from a combat injury leads to depression or substance use disorder.

In all of these cases, the second condition may also be eligible for compensation if properly connected to the first.

Common Examples of Secondary Conditions

Here are some of the most frequently approved secondary conditions:

Primary Condition	Possible Secondary Condition
PTSD or TBI	Sleep apnea, GERD, migraines, depression
Knee or ankle injury	Back pain, hip pain, arthritis
Diabetes (Type 2)	Neuropathy, kidney disease, vision issues
Chronic pain or joint issues	Depression, anxiety, limited mobility
Medication side effects	Weight gain, high blood pressure, fatigue

If any of this sounds familiar, you may qualify for a higher rating and additional back pay.

Why Filing a Secondary Claim Matters

• More Monthly Compensation: Secondary claims can increase your overall disability rating, sometimes moving you to the next compensation tier.

• Potential for Significant Back Pay: If your secondary condition began months or even years ago, you could receive retroactive compensation.

• A Fuller Picture of Your Service Impact: The VA rating should reflect the totality of your condition—not just the original diagnosis.

How to File a Secondary Service-Connected Claim

To file a successful secondary claim, the VA requires:

✅ 1. A Current Diagnosis

You must have medical documentation of the secondary condition.

✅ 2. Proof of a Service-Connected Primary Condition

This must already be approved and listed in your VA disability record.

✅ 3. A “Nexus” or Link Between the Two

This is often the hardest part—but also where we come in. You’ll need a medical opinion or evidence showing that the secondary condition is “at least as likely as not” caused or aggravated by the primary one.

💡 Tip: Ask your treating physician to write a nexus letter explaining the connection. We can help you request and structure this effectively.

Why Many Secondary Claims Get Denied

The most common reasons include:

• Lack of medical evidence or nexus letter

• Weak or unclear connection between conditions

• VA confusion over whether a condition worsened on its own or due to service

That’s why working with experienced professionals can make a major difference in your outcome.

We’re Here to Help You Maximize Your Benefits

At Increase Your VA Benefits, we specialize in identifying overlooked secondary conditions and building strong claims backed by clear evidence and strategy.

Whether you're just starting or you've been denied before, we’re here to help you:

• Review your current disability rating

• Identify eligible secondary conditions

• Gather strong medical documentation

• File your claim correctly

• Appeal an unfair denial if necessary

Ready to Increase Your Rating?

Don’t leave money on the table. If your primary condition has caused other health issues, you may be entitled to more compensation and back pay than you're currently receiving.

📞 Book a Free Strategy Call today. We’ll walk you through your options and help you take the next step.