4.9 million, or 26% of all veterans in the US, have a service-related disability.
Seeking veteran benefits can be one of a veteran’s most challenging experiences. When you consider the VA disability list of secondary conditions in conjunction with primary illness and disability, getting benefits is a labyrinth of challenges.
Often veterans need the assistance of other organizations to help get the services they need and deserve. Read on to learn more about the many secondary conditions that might help get veteran benefits.
Claiming a Secondary Service Connection for a VA disability
A secondary condition claim gets approved only after the primary condition it’s connected to gets approved. You can do this through:
- Medical treatment
- Diagnosis
- Opinions of medical professionals
- Opinions of psychological professionals
- Statements from friends, family, and veterans who served with you
To get approval, you file a claim with the VA and claim the service connection related to these health conditions.
VA Secondary Conditions
The VA has a list of recognized secondary conditions. The list below includes many of those on the list, but by no means should it be assumed it’s exhaustive.
The VA considers secondary conditions based on the primary condition connection.
Anxiety is a secondary condition to Tinnitus.
Asthma
Asthma is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Asthma secondary to Anxiety
- Asthma secondary to allergies
- Asthma secondary to Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome
- Asthma secondary to Bronchiectasis
- Asthma secondary to Depression
- Asthma secondary to Vocal Cord Dysfunction
- Asthma secondary to Diabetes
- Asthma secondary to GERD (acid reflux or heartburn)
- Asthma secondary to Nasal polyps
- Asthma secondary to Diabetes
- Asthma secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Bruxism
Bruxism is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Bruxism secondary to Anxiety
- Bruxism secondary to Depression
- Bruxism secondary to PTSD
- Bruxism secondary to Tinnitus
Depression
Depression is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Depression secondary to Tinnitus
- Depression secondary to Migraines
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- ED secondary to Anxiety
- ED secondary to Atherosclerosis
- ED secondary to Depression
- ED secondary to Medication Side Effects
- ED secondary to Heart Disease
- ED secondary to High Cholesterol
- ED secondary to Hypertension
- ED secondary to Multiple Sclerosis
- ED secondary to Diabetes
- ED secondary to PTSD
- ED secondary to Weight Gain Obesity as Interim Link
- ED secondary to Parkinson’s Disease
- ED secondary to Prostate Cancer
- ED secondary to Spinal Cord Injuries
Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
Female sexual arousal disorder is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder secondary to Heart Disease
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder secondary to Neurological Conditions
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder secondary to Depression
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder secondary to Anxiety
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder secondary to Gynecological conditions, such as Vulvovaginal Atrophy, Infections, or Lichen Sclerosis
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder secondary to Medication Side Effects
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder secondary to PTSD
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Fibromyalgia secondary to Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
- Fibromyalgia secondary to Anxiety
- Fibromyalgia secondary to Depression
- Fibromyalgia secondary to IBS
- Fibromyalgia secondary to Migraines
- Fibromyalgia secondary to Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia secondary to Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- GERD secondary to Anxiety
- GERD secondary to Asthma
- GERD secondary to Depression
- GERD secondary to Medication Side Effects
- GERD secondary to PTSD
- GERD secondary to Weight Gain Obesity as Interim Link
Hypertension
Hypertension is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Hypertension secondary to Diabetes
- Hypertension secondary to Hyperthyroidism
- Hypertension secondary to Kidney Disease
- Hypertension secondary to PTSD
- Hypertension secondary to Weight Gain Obesity as Interim Link
- Hypertension secondary to Lupus
- Hypertension secondary to Scleroderma
- Hypertension secondary to Sleep Apnea
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- IBS secondary to Anxiety
- IBS secondary to Depression
- IBS secondary to PTSD
- IBS secondary to Medication Side Effects
- IBS secondary to Weight Gain Obesity as Interim Link
- IBS secondary to PTSD
Meniere’s Syndrome
Meniere’s Syndrome is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Meniere’s Syndrome secondary to Hearing Loss
- Meniere’s Syndrome secondary to Migraines
- Meniere’s Syndrome secondary to Tinnitus
- Meniere’s Syndrome secondary to TBI
Migraines
Migraines is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Migraines secondary to Anxiety
- Migraines secondary to Asthma
- Migraines secondary to Cervical Strain
- Migraines secondary to Depression
- Migraines secondary to Fibromyalgia
- Migraines secondary to GERD
- Migraines secondary to IBS
- Migraines secondary to PTSD
- Migraines secondary to Insomnia
- Migraines secondary to Medication Side Effects
- Migraines secondary to Meniere’s Disease
- Migraines secondary to Heart Disease
- Migraines secondary to TBI
- Migraines secondary to Tinnitus
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Plantar Fasciitis secondary to back condition
- Plantar Fasciitis secondary to a foot condition
- Plantar Fasciitis secondary to Knees, Hips, Joint Instability
- Plantar Fasciitis secondary to Weight Gain Obesity
Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Radiculopathy secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Radiculopathy secondary to Back Pain
- Radiculopathy secondary to Spinal Stenosis
- Radiculopathy secondary to Spondylolisthesis
- Radiculopathy secondary to Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain
- Radiculopathy secondary to Spinal Fusion
- Radiculopathy secondary to Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome is a secondary condition to other conditions, includes:
- Restless Leg Syndrome secondary to Back Condition
- Restless Leg Syndrome secondary to Medication Side Effects
- Restless Leg Syndrome secondary to Neck Condition
- Restless Leg Syndrome secondary to Peripheral Neuropathy
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea that is a secondary condition to other conditions includes:
- Sleep Apnea secondary to Asthma
- Sleep Apnea secondary to Deviated Septum
- Sleep Apnea secondary to GERD
- Sleep Apnea secondary to PTSD
- Sleep Apnea secondary to Rhinitis
- Sleep Apnea secondary to Sinusitis
- Sleep Apnea secondary to Weight Gain Obesity
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Somatic Symptom Disorder that is a secondary condition to other conditions includes:
- Somatic Symptom Disorder secondary to Back Condition
- Somatic Symptom Disorder secondary to Neck Condition
- Somatic Symptom Disorder secondary to Tinnitus
Vertigo
Vertigo that is a secondary condition to other conditions includes:
- Vertigo secondary to Migraines
- Vertigo secondary to Tinnitus
- Vertigo secondary to Head or Neck Conditions
- Vertigo secondary to Medication Side Effects
- Vertigo secondary to TBI
Get Familiar With the VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions
The VA disability list of secondary conditions can be helpful when working to get disability benefits through the VA. Often a veteran suffers as much from the secondary condition as any direct service connection condition.
If you need help getting the benefits you deserve, we can help. Check out our process to help veterans get the benefits they deserve.