Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5013
Osteoporosis Secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Osteoporosis when it develops after Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Why Osteoporosis Is Linked to Ankylosing Spondylitis
Chronic inflammation increases bone loss risk
Primary condition · VASRD 5240
Ankylosing Spondylitis
A chronic inflammatory disease causing spine fusion and pain.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5013
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is loss of bone mineral density that leaves bone fragile enough to fracture from minor stress. The schedule titles DC 5013 "Osteoporosis, residuals of" — it rates what the disease has left behind, not the bone-density number, and it does that on limitation of motion of the affected parts.
Osteoporosis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Osteoporosis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis — severity of Osteoporosis itself determines the percentage.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Per joint, when motion is limited but not enough to rate on its own |
| 0% | Service-connected, but no compensable limitation of the affected parts |
Example combined rating
40% Ankylosing Spondylitis + 10% Osteoporosis = 46%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 40% and 10% combine to 46%, not 50%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Osteoporosis Secondary Claim
- •Range-of-motion measurements, in degrees, for every part osteoporosis has damaged — this is the only thing DC 5013 rates, and it is the measurement most osteoporosis claims are missing.
- •Imaging and operative reports for each fragility fracture, identifying the exact vertebra or bone, since the fracture is usually rated under that body part's own diagnostic code rather than under DC 5013.
- •A DEXA scan with the T-score and the treating clinician's diagnosis, which establish the disease even though no percentage turns on the number.
- •Records of the in-service cause where one applies — long-term corticosteroid therapy, prolonged immobilization, hypogonadism, or an endocrine condition already service-connected.
- •Examination findings documenting objective painful motion, spinal deformity or loss of height, which support both the per-joint 10 percent and the 38 CFR 4.59 minimum.
Common questions about Osteoporosis secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Can Osteoporosis be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. Chronic inflammation increases bone loss risk You'll need a current Osteoporosis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Ankylos…
- What VA rating can I get for Osteoporosis as a secondary condition?
- Osteoporosis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5013 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 10%, 0%. The rating depends on the severity of Osteoporosis itself, not on the severity of Ankylosing Spondylitis.
- How does a secondary Osteoporosis claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 40% rating for Ankylosing Spondylitis combined with a 10% rating for Osteoporosis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 46%, not 50%. Approving Osteoporosis as secondary still typically raises your overall combi…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Osteoporosis as secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Osteoporosis diagnosis includes: Range-of-motion measurements, in degrees, for every part osteoporosis has damaged — this is the only thing DC 5013 rates, and it is the measurement most osteoporosis claims are missing.; Imaging and operative reports for each fragility fracture, ident…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosing Spondylitis guide
Secondary condition
Full Osteoporosis guide
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