Common Secondary Service-Connected Conditions Among Veterans
What Is a Secondary Service-Connected Condition?
Many veterans develop additional conditions that stem from their service-connected disabilities. These are known as secondary conditions. Veterans can qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation for these secondary conditions if they establish service connection on a secondary basis.
Some of the key points in this article include:
- A current diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion are required in order to prove secondary service connection.
- VA rates secondary service-connected conditions using the same criteria used for primary service-connected conditions.
- Some of the most common secondary service-connected conditions include peripheral neuropathy, depression, and hypertension.
Who We Are: Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick (CCK Law) has argued many of the cases that define and clarify veterans disability law. Our attorneys serve in many leadership positions and have posted more than 2,500 blogs and 1,100 videos explaining veterans benefits. With 100+ individuals accredited by VA or admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, CCK Law has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for 36,000+ clients since 1999. (Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.) Contact us to tell us about your case.
How Do I Establish Secondary Service Connection?
To prove secondary service connection for a condition, veterans must provide:
- A current diagnosis of a secondary condition by a medical professional; and
- A nexus, or link, between the secondary condition and the primary service-connected condition.
The nexus between your primary condition and your secondary condition must be clearly established to be granted secondary service connection by VA.
Once VA confirms secondary service connection, secondary conditions are rated under the appropriate diagnostic code in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). Disabilities that are service-connected on a secondary basis are rated in the same manner as other service-connected disabilities.
Watch CCK Law Partner Christian McTarnaghan and Supervising Attorney Alyse Phillips explain some of the most common secondary service-connected VA disabilities:
What Are the Most Common Secondary Conditions Among Veterans?
The following are some of the most common secondary service-connected conditions among veterans:
Peripheral Neuropathy Secondary to Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
VA’s 2025 Annual Benefits Report lists diabetes mellitus as the most prevalent endocrine disorder among disability recipients, with more than 445,000 veterans receiving compensation for the disorder.
There are multiple medical conditions that a veteran may develop as a result of service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2. One of the most common conditions secondary to diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy impacts a veteran’s peripheral nerves and can cause numbness, weakness, and tingling in the upper and lower extremities, usually in the feet and hands.
Service-connected diabetes may also lead to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, or kidney disease. Veterans can receive secondary service connection for these conditions as well.
Radiculopathy Secondary to Back Disabilities
Radiculopathy is a nerve condition that occurs when a veteran’s nerve is pinched in their spinal column, resulting in weakness, tingling, or numbness in their legs or arms. Radiculopathy can occur in the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine, or lumbar spine depending on the location of the veteran’s back condition.
Radiculopathy is commonly experienced due to back conditions, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Veterans with a service-connected back condition who later developed radiculopathy may qualify for secondary service connection.
Depression Secondary to Parkinson’s Disease or Cancer
Major depressive disorder was the second-most prevalent mental disorder among compensation recipients, per VA’s 2025 Annual Benefits Report. According to VA, over 400,000 veterans are receiving compensation for their depression.
Veterans commonly develop depression as a result of service-connected Parkinson’s disease or types of cancers. However, depression can also be related to many other service-connected conditions, including orthopedic conditions.
A veteran may develop depression because their terminal or otherwise aggressive condition prevents them from being able to do the same activities.
Hypertension Secondary to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
According to VA’s 2025 Annual Benefits Report, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most prevalent mental disorder among disability recipients, with almost 1.8 million veterans suffering from it.
Veterans with PTSD may develop hypertension (i.e., high blood pressure) secondary to their PTSD. This can be due to the increased stress and anxiety they experience, which may cause them to develop high blood pressure. Veterans who develop hypertension due to their PTSD may be able to qualify for secondary service-connected disability benefits.
ED Secondary to Prostate Cancer
A common secondary condition among veterans is erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to prostate cancer. While erectile dysfunction is typically given a noncompensable rating, veterans who are service connected for ED may be eligible to receive SMC(k), a level of Special Monthly Compensation that is awarded in addition to the veteran’s monthly disability compensation.
Other common residuals of prostate cancer are frequent urination and urinary incontinence, both of which a veteran can be service connected for as secondary to their prostate cancer.
Other Common Secondary Conditions
Other examples of common secondary conditions among veterans may include:
- Migraines secondary to depression
- Sleep apnea secondary to hypertension
- Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD
- Secondary conditions related to traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to PTSD or sleep apnea
- Depression or anxiety secondary to PTSD
- Foot condition secondary to a back disability
Did VA Deny Your Secondary Service Connection Claim? Contact CCK Law
If you disagree with a VA decision, consider contacting Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick. An experienced, VA-accredited law firm may offer significant tools and resources in support of your appeal.
While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, CCK Law has had favorable outcomes in 98.5% of its actions before VA and a 95% win rate before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (federal court). We have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for 36,000+ clients to date.
Contact us online or at 800-544-9144 to tell us about your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a secondary service-connected condition increase a combined VA rating?
It can, but likely not by as much as the veteran may expect. This is because VA combines disability ratings using “VA math,” instead of simple addition, per 38 CFR § 4.25. While a veteran’s combined disability rating can increase with a secondary condition, the increase is often smaller than the standalone rating of the secondary condition.
Can a veteran get secondary service connection if a condition was worsened, but not caused by, their primary condition?
Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310(b), VA may grant a veteran secondary service connection if the veteran can prove the condition was aggravated, or permanently worsened beyond its natural progression, by an already service-connected condition. VA compensates aggravation claims based on the degree of worsening, not on the baseline severity of the condition.
Can a veteran get secondary service connection if their primary condition is rated at 0 percent?
Yes, even if the veteran’s primary service-connected condition is rated at 0 percent, that is still a service-connected condition. Per 38 CFR § 3.310, the primary condition only needs to be service connected; a compensable rating is not required.
In the video below, CCK Law Partners Emma Peterson and Michael Lostritto explain five reasons veterans should consider hiring a VA-accredited lawyer for help with their VA appeal:
