Is there a deadline to file a secondary claim?

No fixed deadline, but the effective date is generally tied to when VA receives the claim or your Intent to File (38 CFR 3.155, 3.400). Filing sooner protects back pay.

Does VA publish a list of secondary conditions?

No. Any condition can be secondary if a reasoned medical opinion links it to a service-connected condition under 38 CFR 3.310.

What's the difference between caused by and aggravated by?

Caused by means the service-connected condition produced the new one (3.310(a)). Aggravated by means it made an existing condition worse beyond its natural progress, and you're paid for the increase over the baseline (3.310(b)).

How is a secondary condition rated?

Under its own diagnostic code, then combined with your other ratings under 38 CFR 4.25. Overlapping symptoms can't be counted twice (4.14).

Secondary Claims: Linking Conditions the Right Way

Secondary service connection under 38 CFR 3.310: causation vs aggravation, what makes a nexus opinion count, how to file, and how it's rated.

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What members get here

🔒 Rule (38 CFR 3.310)
🔒 The three-part formula
🔒 Common pairings to research with your doctor
🔒 Checklist
🔒 Causation vs. aggravation, explained