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 has examined links between PTSD and sleep-disordered breathing. If the VA grants the claim, the rating depends on the evidence and the applicable criteria.
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 may contribute to elevated blood pressure over time in some veterans.
Insomnia
Secondary to PTSD
Insomnia is generally treated as a symptom already captured in the PTSD rating under 38 CFR § 4.130 — separate ratings are typically barred as pyramiding. The right path is usually documenting sleep impairment to support a higher PTSD rating.
Depression
Secondary to PTSD
Major depressive disorder can coexist with PTSD and may involve overlapping biological and psychological factors.
IBS
Secondary to PTSD
The gut-brain connection links PTSD-related chronic stress to irritable bowel syndrome through autonomic nervous system disruption.
TMJ
Secondary to PTSD
PTSD-related bruxism (teeth grinding) and jaw clenching cause or worsen temporomandibular joint disorders.
Substance Use Disorder
Secondary to PTSD
PTSD can coexist with alcohol or substance use disorders, and some veterans use substances in response to PTSD symptoms.
Chronic Fatigue
Secondary to PTSD
Hypervigilance and sleep disturbances from PTSD lead to chronic exhaustion that impairs daily functioning.
Secondary to Anxiety
Sleep Apnea
Secondary to Anxiety
Anxiety disorders disrupt sleep architecture and can contribute to or worsen obstructive sleep apnea.
GERD
Secondary to Anxiety
Chronic anxiety increases gastric acid production and esophageal sensitivity, worsening or causing GERD symptoms.
IBS
Secondary to Anxiety
The gut-brain axis links anxiety to altered gastrointestinal motility, frequently manifesting as irritable bowel syndrome.
Hypertension
Secondary to Anxiety
Research on anxiety and hypertension is mixed. A medical opinion must explain how your anxiety caused or aggravated your high blood pressure.
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
Spine and hip problems often overlap. Hip pain referred from the spine is rated with the back; a separate hip diagnosis can be secondary.
Sciatica
Secondary to Back Pain
Lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis from a service-connected back condition commonly cause sciatic nerve compression.
Ankle Pain
Secondary to Back Pain
Gait changes or nerve involvement from a lumbar spine disability can contribute to ankle problems, if a medical opinion supports the link.
Erectile Dysfunction
Secondary to Back Pain
Lumbar nerve damage and pain medications used for back conditions can both contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Secondary to Hearing Loss
Secondary to Sleep Apnea
GERD
Secondary to Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea and GERD often occur together. GERD is rated under DC 7206, and a medical opinion must support the secondary link.
Hypertension
Secondary to Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is an established risk factor for hypertension. A medical opinion must link your high blood pressure to your service-connected sleep apnea.
Depression
Secondary to Sleep Apnea
Chronic sleep fragmentation from sleep apnea impairs mood regulation and is strongly associated with major depression.
Erectile Dysfunction
Secondary to Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea reduces testosterone levels and impairs vascular function, both of which contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Heart Disease
Secondary to Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is associated with higher heart failure risk in research. Heart disease is rated on METs under the current cardiac criteria.
Secondary to Diabetes
Peripheral Neuropathy
Secondary to Diabetes
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a well-recognized complication of diabetes mellitus.
Retinopathy
Secondary to Diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication caused by damage to blood vessels in the retina from prolonged high blood sugar.
Hypertension
Secondary to Diabetes
Diabetes damages blood vessels and impairs kidney function, both of which contribute to the development of hypertension.
Erectile Dysfunction
Secondary to Diabetes
Diabetic vascular damage and peripheral neuropathy are leading causes of erectile dysfunction in veterans.
Kidney Disease
Secondary to Diabetes
Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive kidney disease caused by long-term damage from elevated blood glucose levels.
Depression
Secondary to Diabetes
The burden of chronic diabetes management and its complications significantly increases the risk of major depression.
Secondary to Tinnitus
Anxiety
Secondary to Tinnitus
Tinnitus is associated with anxiety in research. A medical opinion must link your diagnosed anxiety disorder to your service-connected tinnitus.
Depression
Secondary to Tinnitus
Chronic tinnitus interferes with sleep, concentration, and quality of life, frequently leading to major depression.
Sleep Disorders
Secondary to Tinnitus
Constant ringing or buzzing from tinnitus disrupts the ability to fall and stay asleep, causing chronic insomnia.
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.
Hip Pain
Secondary to Knee Pain
A knee disability can change how load reaches the hips. A medical opinion must link a diagnosed hip condition to the knee.
Back Pain
Secondary to Knee Pain
Research links knee arthritis and low back pain. A medical opinion must connect your back condition to your service-connected knee.
Ankle Instability
Secondary to Knee Pain
A knee condition can change how you walk. If a medical opinion links ankle instability to it, VA can grant it as secondary.
Depression
Secondary to Knee Pain
Chronic pain is associated with depression. A medical opinion must link your diagnosed depression to your service-connected knee condition.
Secondary to Migraines
Depression
Secondary to Migraines
Chronic migraines cause functional impairment and social isolation that frequently lead to depressive disorders.
Anxiety
Secondary to Migraines
Unpredictable migraine attacks create anticipatory anxiety that can develop into a generalized anxiety disorder.
Neck Pain
Secondary to Migraines
Chronic migraines cause persistent cervical muscle tension and postural changes that lead to chronic neck pain.
Secondary to TBI
Migraines
Secondary to TBI
Post-traumatic headaches are the most common symptom following traumatic brain injury, often manifesting as chronic migraines.
Depression
Secondary to TBI
TBI disrupts neurotransmitter systems and neural pathways involved in mood regulation, frequently causing major depression.
Sleep Disorders
Secondary to TBI
TBI damages brain regions controlling the sleep-wake cycle, leading to insomnia, hypersomnia, and circadian rhythm disruption.
Secondary to Neck Pain
Radiculopathy
Secondary to Neck Pain
Cervical disc herniation and spinal stenosis from a neck condition commonly compress nerve roots, causing upper extremity radiculopathy.
Migraines
Secondary to Neck Pain
Cervicogenic headaches originate from cervical spine dysfunction and often trigger or worsen migraine patterns.