Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 6000
Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) 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 Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) when it develops after Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Why Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) Is Linked to Ankylosing Spondylitis
Linked to autoimmune nature of ankylosing spondylitis
Primary condition · VASRD 5004
Ankylosing Spondylitis
A chronic inflammatory disease causing spine fusion and pain.
Secondary condition · VASRD 6000
Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis)
Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye that can cause redness, pain, and vision problems.
Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis — severity of Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
40% Ankylosing Spondylitis + 30% Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) = 58%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 40% and 30% combine to 58%, not 70%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) Secondary Claim
- •Ophthalmology records showing chronic inflammation
- •Prescription history for corticosteroids or immunosuppressants
- •Visual field tests
- •C&P exam documenting impact on vision
Common questions about Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Can Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) 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. Linked to autoimmune nature of ankylosing spondylitis You'll need a current Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your s…
- What VA rating can I get for Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) as a secondary condition?
- Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 6000 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 60%, 30%, 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) itself, not on the severity of Ankylosing Spondylitis.
- How does a secondary Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) 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 30% rating for Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) (example figures) produces a combined rating of 58%, not 70%. Approving Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) as secondary still typ…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) as secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) diagnosis includes: Ophthalmology records showing chronic inflammation; Prescription history for corticosteroids or immunosuppressants; Visual field tests; C&P exam documenting impact on vision. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treatin…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosing Spondylitis guide
Secondary condition
Full Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Ankylosing Spondylitis and Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis) combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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