Find Your Secondary Claim Opportunities
Secondary claims are the most common type VA receives. If your service-connected condition caused or worsened another health issue, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
- Select your current service-connected conditions to see which secondary claims have the strongest medical links.
- Get nexus letter guidance and evidence requirements specific to each secondary condition.
- Download a personalized brief to share with your doctor, VSO, or claims agent.
Secondary condition relationships are based on VA precedent, medical literature, and claims data. Individual results depend on your specific medical evidence and nexus documentation.
1
Select your service-connected conditions
*
Select your service-connected conditions *
Choose all the conditions you currently have service-connected (rated 0% or higher). We will show secondary conditions commonly linked to your selections.
2
What symptoms are you experiencing?
What symptoms are you experiencing?
Optional: Select any new symptoms you have noticed. This helps surface secondary conditions you might not have considered.
Your Secondary Claims Brief
Select your service-connected conditions to discover secondary claim opportunities.
Quick Resources
Secondary Claims FAQ
What is a secondary VA disability claim?
A secondary claim is for a condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability. For example, if your service-connected knee condition causes you to walk differently and develop hip problems, the hip condition can be claimed as secondary to the knee. You need medical evidence showing the connection between the two conditions.
Do I need a nexus letter for secondary claims?
Yes, a nexus letter is critical for secondary claims. The letter should be from a qualified medical provider who explains how your primary condition caused or aggravated the secondary condition. It must use the VA standard of proof: "at least as likely as not" (50% or greater probability). Without a strong nexus letter, your claim will likely be denied.
Can I claim multiple secondary conditions at once?
Yes, you can file for multiple secondary conditions if they are all linked to your service-connected disabilities. However, each claim needs its own nexus letter and supporting evidence. Consider filing your strongest claims first to avoid overwhelming your file and slowing processing.
What if my primary condition is rated at 0%?
A 0% rating still counts as service-connected, so you can still file secondary claims. This is actually a common and effective strategy, as secondary conditions may qualify for compensable ratings even when the primary is rated 0%.
How do I prove a secondary condition is connected?
You need three elements: 1) A current diagnosis of the secondary condition, 2) A service-connected primary condition (any rating), and 3) A medical nexus opinion linking the two. The nexus can show either direct causation or aggravation beyond natural progression.
What is the difference between causation and aggravation?
Causation means your primary condition directly caused the secondary condition. Aggravation means your primary condition worsened a pre-existing condition beyond its natural progression. Both can be service-connected, but aggravation claims require documentation of the baseline severity before the aggravation occurred.