Many veterans may develop secondary conditions as a result of their service-connected disabilities. Educating veterans about how they can get these secondary conditions connected to their service can significantly increase their compensation.
What Are Secondary Conditions?
The first question we have to answer is, what exactly are “secondary conditions”? As we know, the Veterans’ Administration (VA) grants disability benefits to those who can establish that their injury or impairment was a direct result of their time in the service. For example, veterans who served during the Vietnam Conflict, in certain geographical areas, are known to have been exposed to Agent Orange (that’s right, cool, new article here on Agent Orange Exposure); and we know that Agent Orange is presumed, by the VA, to cause diabetes. Therefore, we have a direct service connection for a veteran’s development of diabetes and his time in the service. But what happens years down the road when diabetes starts causing additional issues?
That is where the secondary service connection comes in. Secondary service connection is based on the development of additional impairments (secondary conditions) from an already service-connected disability. Diabetes has been known to cause issues with vision, heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, and foot damage. However, these conditions develop as a result of the diabetes, not as a result of any particular condition or in-service event that is directly related to your military service. Simply put, secondary conditions are issues that develop as a result of an injury or impairment that is already directly connected to your time in the service.
The Link Between Secondary Conditions & Service-Connected Disabilities
These secondary service-connected medical impairments are applied for in much the same way that direct service connection issues are pursued. Let’s say, for example, a veteran develops diabetic retinopathy, with vision loss as a result of his diabetes. An application is filed for the vision loss, as secondary to the already service-connected disabilities. The VA then evaluates the claim and determines whether or not the vision loss is either directly related to your service, OR is a secondary condition to an already service-connected condition – your diabetes.
The above is just one example of many different types of secondary conditions service connections that can be made. This example is a little simpler because it appears so clear-cut, however, that is not always the case. Many medical studies have established that individuals with significant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), are more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea. However, establishing this secondary service connection can be more difficult, since many VA examiners are more apt to rely on negative TERA exposure or a veteran’s weight as the cause for denying a claim for obstructive sleep apnea. This is where a thorough Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) comes into the equation, and a doctor will cite the medical literature and offer their own opinion on the increased risks of developing obstructive sleep apnea as a result of PTSD.
Interested in Filing for Secondary Conditions Linked to Service-Connected Disabilities? Bross Frankel PA Can Help.
The importance of compensation for any secondary conditions cannot be overstated. The Veterans’ Benefits Attorneys at Bross Frankel PA will not only review your service-connected condition, but will also determine whether or not there are any secondary conditions that you might be eligible for compensation for as a result of your time in the service.
At Bross Frankel PA, we are proud to represent the men and women who have bravely served our country. We work with veterans to help them get the benefits they are entitled to, including disability compensation and related benefits. To learn more or to schedule a free claim review with a veterans disability attorney, contact our office today at (856) 795-8880 or fill out our online contact form.
Below are some additional resources related to topics mentioned in this article worth noting:
- Toxic Aftermath: How Agent Orange Exposure Contributes to Diabetes Among Disabled Veterans
- Toxic Exposure in the Military: How the PACT Act & TERA Can Be Linked to Your Disability Claim
- Veterans Sleep Apnea: VA Disability Rating and Compensation
Jennifer Stonage is a Senior Associate Attorney at Bross & Frankel, P.A. and primarily assists with the firm’s Veteran’s Benefits matters. She believes that the veterans who served our country are entitled to the help and compensation they are entitled to, and will put her knowledge to work to secure the highest possible compensation ratings. The VA process can be incredibly tricky to navigate. Let somebody who knows the system work to help you.