Not all disabilities stand alone. Often, one service-connected condition causes or worsens another. These are called secondary conditions, and they can be just as important as the primary disability.
For example:
- A veteran with a knee injury may develop back pain from walking differently.
- A veteran with PTSD may develop sleep apnea or hypertension.
- A veteran taking medication for one condition may suffer side effects like weight gain or liver problems.
Secondary conditions can increase your overall disability rating and provide more monthly compensation, but they often go unclaimed because veterans don’t realize they qualify. The key is proving the connection between the primary service-connected condition and the secondary condition, usually through medical evidence or a nexus letter.
Our firm helps veterans identify possible secondary claims, connect them with medical professionals, and present the evidence the VA requires. Many veterans find that when secondary conditions are properly documented, their compensation increases significantly.
Next Step: If you have health problems that developed because of a service-connected condition, contact us—we’ll help connect the dots and fight for additional benefits.

