Secondary Condition Explorer

Select a service-connected condition to see what other conditions are medically linked to it. Secondary conditions don't need their own in-service event, but winning one takes three things: a current diagnosis of the new condition, a service-connected primary condition, and a medical nexus opinion connecting the two. (38 CFR § 3.310)

A secondary service-connected condition is a disability that was either caused by or aggravated by a condition you are already service-connected for. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, the VA recognizes that one medical condition can lead to or worsen another. For example, a veteran rated for a knee injury may develop degenerative arthritis in the same joint, or a veteran with service-connected PTSD may develop sleep apnea as a secondary condition.

Claiming the conditions your service-connected disabilities have caused or worsened helps ensure your complete disability picture is rated. Keep in mind that the VA combines ratings rather than adding them, so each additional condition raises your total at a diminishing rate — the calculator shows the real effect. This explorer maps medical relationships between conditions based on medical literature and VA rating-schedule provisions, to help you identify connections worth discussing with your doctor or an accredited representative. A relationship shown here is a starting point, not evidence: your claim still needs medical documentation specific to you.

Most connected conditions

Select a condition above to explore secondary connections.

How to claim a secondary condition

Get a current diagnosis. The VA can't rate a condition that hasn't been diagnosed — start with your doctor.
Get a medical nexus opinion connecting the new condition to your service-connected one. This is the evidence secondary claims are usually won or lost on — the nexus letter evaluator explains what a strong one looks like.
Consider filing an Intent to File while you gather evidence — it can protect your effective date for up to a year. See effective dates for how this affects back pay.
File VA Form 21-526EZ — the same form as any disability claim — and state that the condition is secondary to your service-connected condition. An accredited VSO or representative can file with you at no cost.

Worried that filing more claims puts your current ratings at risk? Filing a new claim doesn't rescind benefits you've already been granted. A rating can only be reduced through a separate process that requires advance notice and gives you the chance to respond with evidence (38 CFR § 3.105(e)).

Secondary Condition Explorer

Discover conditions medically linked to your service-connected disabilities…

How to claim a secondary condition

Get a current diagnosis. The VA can't rate a condition that hasn't been diagnosed — start with your doctor.

Get a medical nexus opinion connecting the new condition to your service-connected one. This is the evidence secondary claims are usually won or lost on — the nexus letter evaluator explains what a strong one looks like.

Consider filing an Intent to File while you gather evidence — it can protect your effective date for up to a year. See effective dates for how this affects back pay.

File VA Form 21-526EZ — the same form as any disability claim — and state that the condition is secondary to your service-connected condition. An accredited VSO or representative can file with you at no cost.