Many veterans suffer from secondary conditions caused by their primary service-connected injuries. For example, a veteran with a service-connected knee injury might develop lower back problems due to an altered gait over many years.
The Nexus Requirement
The key to winning a secondary claim is establishing the "nexus" or link between the already established primary condition and the new secondary condition. This requires strong medical evidence.
Independent medical opinions (IMOs) play a vital role here. A qualified professional can review your records and provide a rationale detailing exactly how the primary condition proximately caused or aggravated the secondary condition.