If you already have a VA disability rating, you may be entitled to more benefits than you realize. Many veterans don’t know that one service-connected condition can lead to additional ratings for related health problems. These are called VA secondary conditions, and they could significantly increase your monthly compensation.
The problem? Secondary claims are often more complicated than primary claims. The VA won’t connect the dots for you—and many veterans get denied simply because they didn’t file correctly or couldn’t prove the link between conditions.
That’s where Tucker Disability Law comes in. We’ve spent over 30 years helping veterans identify secondary conditions, build strong claims, and get the ratings they deserve.
What is a VA Secondary Condition?
A secondary condition is a health problem caused by or made worse by a condition you’re already service-connected for.
Here’s the key difference from a primary condition: you don’t have to prove the secondary condition happened during your military service. You just have to show it’s connected to something that did.
For example, let’s say you have a service-connected knee injury. Over time, you start limping to avoid pain. That changes how you walk, which puts extra stress on your hip. Eventually, you develop a hip problem.
That hip problem is a secondary condition. It didn’t happen during service. But it was caused by something that did—your knee injury.
The VA recognizes these connections. But proving them requires the right medical evidence and legal strategy. That’s where many veterans run into trouble.
Why VA Secondary Conditions Matter for your Rating
Every new condition you’re service-connected for adds to your combined disability rating. Even a 10% secondary condition can bump you into a higher payment bracket.
Here’s a simple example:
Let’s say you currently have a 50% rating for PTSD. You receive $1,075.16 per month (2025 rate for a single veteran with no dependents).
You then get service-connected for sleep apnea as a secondary condition and receive a 50% rating for that. Your new combined rating jumps to 70%.
At 70%, you now receive $1,759.19 per month. That’s an extra $684.03 every month—over $8,200 per year.
Many veterans are leaving thousands of dollars on the table because they don’t realize their health problems are connected. At Tucker Disability Law, we review your entire medical picture to identify secondary conditions you may have missed.
Common VA Secondary Conditions Veterans Miss
Below are some of the most common secondary conditions organized by primary condition. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it shows how interconnected your health can be.
PTSD and Mental Health
Mental health conditions often cause or contribute to physical health problems:
- Sleep apnea
- Migraines and headaches
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Weight gain and obesity-related conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Back and Spine Conditions
Back problems rarely stay isolated:
- Radiculopathy (nerve pain in legs or arms)
- Sciatica
- Hip problems
- Knee problems (from altered gait)
- Depression or anxiety (from chronic pain)
Diabetes
Diabetes affects multiple body systems:
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hypertension
- Kidney disease
- Vision problems and diabetic retinopathy
- Heart disease
Knee or Ankle Injuries
Joint injuries often create a chain reaction:
- Opposite knee problems (from favoring one leg)
- Hip conditions
- Back problems
- Arthritis
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss impacts more than just your ears:
- Tinnitus
- Depression or anxiety
- Balance problems and vertigo
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea affects your whole body over time:
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Depression
- Cognitive problems and memory issues
Not sure if your conditions are connected? The attorneys at Tucker Disability Law can review your medical history and identify secondary conditions you may not have considered. Contact us for a free consultation.
Why Secondary Claims are Difficult to Win Alone
Filing for a secondary condition sounds simple. In practice, it’s one of the most challenging types of VA claims.
Here’s why:
You have to prove the connection. The VA won’t take your word for it. You need medical evidence—typically a nexus letter—that clearly links your secondary condition to your service-connected condition. Without this, your claim will likely be denied.
Nexus letters have to say the right things. Not all medical opinions are created equal. The letter needs to use specific language: A vague letter won’t cut it.
The VA won’t connect the dots for you. If you file for a condition without explaining it’s secondary, the VA may treat it as a primary claim—and deny it because you can’t prove it happened during service.
Your C&P exam matters. The VA will likely schedule a Compensation & Pension exam. What you say (and don’t say) during this exam can make or break your claim.
Timing and strategy matter. Filing secondary claims in the wrong order or without the right evidence can actually hurt your overall rating.
At Tucker Disability Law, we handle all of this for you. We know what the VA looks for, we know how to build a strong nexus case, and we know how to prepare you for C&P exams. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years.
How Tucker Disability Law Helps You Get Secondary Ratings
When you work with Tucker Disability Law on a secondary condition claim, here’s what we do:
We review your full medical picture. We look at all your service-connected conditions and your current health. Often, we identify secondary conditions veterans didn’t even know they could claim.
We gather the right evidence. We know what medical documentation the VA needs to see. We help you get proper diagnoses and obtain nexus letters that use the right language.
We build a strong legal argument. Proving the connection between conditions requires more than paperwork. We craft a clear, compelling case that shows exactly why your secondary condition is linked to your service-connected disability.
We prepare you for your C&P exam. We make sure you know what to expect and how to accurately describe your symptoms so the examiner gets the full picture.
We fight denials. If your secondary claim has already been denied, we can help you appeal. Many denials happen because of weak evidence or procedural mistakes—problems we know how to fix.
We never give up. That’s not just our motto. It’s how we approach every case. If you deserve a secondary rating, we’ll fight until you get it.
Are you Leaving Benefits on the Table?
Many veterans who come to us are surprised to learn they qualify for secondary conditions. They’ve been living with health problems for years without realizing those problems are connected to their service.
Ask yourself:
- Do you have health problems that developed after your primary condition?
- Has your service-connected condition caused other parts of your body to hurt or break down?
- Are you dealing with depression, anxiety, or sleep problems related to chronic pain or another service-connected issue?
- Have you gained weight or developed high blood pressure since your primary condition?
If you answered yes to any of these, you may have secondary conditions worth claiming.
Get a FREE Case Review from Tucker Disability Law
You’ve already earned your VA benefits. Make sure you’re getting all of them.
At Tucker Disability Law, we’ve helped thousands of veterans identify VA secondary conditions, file successful claims, and increase their ratings. We know the system, we know the strategies, and we know how to win.
If you think you might have a secondary condition—or if you’ve been denied and don’t know what to do next—let’s talk. The consultation is free, and there’s no obligation.
Because at Tucker Disability Law, we never give up.
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