Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5019
Bursitis Secondary to Ankylosis of the Elbow (major)
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 Bursitis when it develops after Ankylosis of the Elbow (major).
Why Bursitis Is Linked to Ankylosis of the Elbow (major)
Compensatory overuse of shoulder
Primary condition · VASRD 5214
Ankylosis of the Elbow (major)
A condition where the elbow joint is fused and cannot move, often due to injury or arthritis.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5019
Bursitis
Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion bones and joints, causing pain or limited motion.
Bursitis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Bursitis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ankylosis of the Elbow (major) — severity of Bursitis itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
40% Ankylosis of the Elbow (major) + 10% Bursitis = 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.
Evidence for a Bursitis Secondary Claim
- •Orthopedic exam reports documenting the diagnosis and its severity.
- •Range-of-motion testing showing how much the affected joint's movement is limited.
Common questions about Bursitis secondary to Ankylosis of the Elbow (major)
- Can Bursitis be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Elbow (major)?
- 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. Compensatory overuse of shoulder You'll need a current Bursitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Ankylosis of the Elbow (…
- What VA rating can I get for Bursitis as a secondary condition?
- Bursitis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5019 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 20%, 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Bursitis itself, not on the severity of Ankylosis of the Elbow (major).
- How does a secondary Bursitis 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 Ankylosis of the Elbow (major) combined with a 10% rating for Bursitis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 46%, not 50%. Approving Bursitis as secondary still typically raises your overall combi…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Bursitis as secondary to Ankylosis of the Elbow (major)?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Bursitis diagnosis includes: Orthopedic exam reports documenting the diagnosis and its severity.; Range-of-motion testing showing how much the affected joint's movement is limited.. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Ankylosis of the…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosis of the Elbow (major) guide
Secondary condition
Full Bursitis guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Ankylosis of the Elbow (major) and Bursitis combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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