VA disability compensation is awarded to veterans when currently diagnosed disabilities are linked to their service. When a disability is linked to service that disability is called “service-connected.” If a veteran believes a disability is linked to service, they can file a claim for VA disability compensation with the VBA. A disability can be service connected on a direct basis or on a secondary basis. The requirements for direct service connection are straight forward: (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an event in service, and (3) a medical nexus (link) between the event in service and the current diagnosis. A disability not related directly to service can be service-connected on a secondary basis when a service-connected disability is causing the secondary disability. A nexus is required. Nexus opinions can only be provided by medical professionals.
Direct Service Connection
A direct service connection claim would look something like this; while in service a soldier sought medical treatment for back pain on several occasions. It is determined that he has a herniated disk. After service the veteran is diagnosed with degenerative disk disease. The veteran files a claim for VA disability compensation. The VBA will then provide a medical exam (called a compensation and pension exam: commonly called a C&P exam) to determine the severity of the condition and opinion on if the in-service herniated disk is related to the current degenerative disk disease. If the medical examiner determines the herniated disk is related to the current degenerative disk disease (a nexus), the condition will be service-connected and the veteran may begin to receive monthly compensation. Of course, if the examiner determines the in-service condition is not related to the current condition then the claim will be denied.
Secondary Service Connection
A secondary service connection claim would look something like this; a veteran is service connected for flatfeet. The veteran’s feet later develop painful bunions. The veteran files a VA disability compensation claim for the bunions believing that his flatfeet caused the bunions. VBA will then provide a C&P exam to determine the severity of the condition and opinion on if service-connected flatfeet caused the bunions. If the medical examiner determines that the flatfeet caused the bunions the condition will be service-connected and the veteran may begin to receive monthly compensation. Again, if the examiner determines that the flatfeet are not related to bunions the claim will be denied.
