VA Secondary Conditions Finder

Your service-connected condition may entitle you to additional VA benefits.
Select your primary condition to discover connected secondaries, nexus examples, and evidence guides.

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Secondary Connections

Discover which conditions are commonly secondary to your primary disability — many veterans qualify for 3–5 additional conditions they never claimed.

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Nexus Examples

See sample nexus letter language for each condition pair. Know what your doctor needs to say to establish the medical connection.

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Typical Ratings

Understand what VA rating each secondary condition typically carries and how it would affect your overall combined rating and monthly pay.

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Select Your Primary Service-Connected Condition

Choose the condition you are already service-connected for

What is a Secondary Service Connection?

A secondary service connection is established when a new disability is caused by or aggravated by a condition that is already service-connected. You do not need a separate in-service event — you only need to show that your new condition is connected to your existing one.

The three secondary nexus theories:

1. Causation — Your primary condition directly caused the secondary (e.g., PTSD caused sleep apnea through hyperarousal)
2. Aggravation — Your primary condition worsened a pre-existing condition beyond its normal progression
3. Medication side effect — Medication prescribed for your primary caused the secondary (e.g., SSRIs for PTSD causing erectile dysfunction)

What is a Nexus Letter?

A nexus letter is a medical opinion from a physician stating that your secondary condition is "at least as likely as not" (50%+ probability) caused or aggravated by your service-connected primary condition. This letter is often the deciding factor in a secondary claim.

A strong nexus letter includes:

  • The magic words: "at least as likely as not"
  • The medical mechanism connecting the two conditions
  • References to medical literature or clinical guidelines
  • A review of your complete medical history
  • The doctor's credentials and signature

If your VA provider won't write a nexus letter, a private independent medical examiner (IME) can provide one. This is often the difference between approval and denial.

Important Disclaimer

This tool is for educational purposes only. Every veteran's situation is unique, and the secondary condition connections shown here represent common patterns — not guarantees. Consult with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or accredited VA attorney before filing a claim. VA: 1-800-827-1000.