Secondary Conditions for VA Disability
Conditions caused or aggravated by your service-connected disabilities. Learn how to claim secondary conditions for additional compensation.
Secondary to PTSD
Sleep Apnea
Secondary to PTSD
Research links PTSD to sleep-disordered breathing. A nexus letter connecting your sleep apnea to PTSD can add 0%–100% to your combined rating.
GERD
Secondary to PTSD
Chronic stress from PTSD increases stomach acid production, often causing or aggravating GERD symptoms.
Migraines
Secondary to PTSD
Veterans with PTSD experience migraines at significantly higher rates due to hyperarousal and chronic stress.
Erectile Dysfunction
Secondary to PTSD
PTSD medications and psychological symptoms frequently cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.
Hypertension
Secondary to PTSD
Chronic hyperarousal from PTSD elevates blood pressure over time, leading to service-connectable hypertension.
Secondary to Anxiety
Secondary to Back Pain
Knee Pain
Secondary to Back Pain
Altered gait from a service-connected back condition places excess stress on the knees, causing secondary knee disabilities.
Radiculopathy
Secondary to Back Pain
Lumbar spine conditions often cause nerve root compression, leading to radiculopathy in the lower extremities.
Depression
Secondary to Back Pain
Chronic pain from a service-connected back condition is a well-documented cause of major depressive disorder.
Sleep Apnea
Secondary to Back Pain
Weight gain and reduced mobility from back conditions can contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea.
Hip Pain
Secondary to Back Pain
Compensatory movement patterns from a lumbar spine condition place excess stress on the hip joints.
Secondary to Hearing Loss
Secondary to Sleep Apnea
Secondary to Diabetes
Secondary to Tinnitus
Anxiety
Secondary to Tinnitus
Persistent ringing in the ears from tinnitus frequently causes anxiety and sleep disturbances.
Depression
Secondary to Tinnitus
Chronic tinnitus interferes with sleep, concentration, and quality of life, frequently leading to major depression.
Secondary to Knee Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
Secondary to Knee Pain
Altered gait patterns from a service-connected knee disability can cause or worsen plantar fasciitis.