Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7119
Peripheral Vascular Disease Secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
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 Peripheral Vascular Disease when it develops after Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger.
Why Peripheral Vascular Disease Is Linked to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
Fixed joint can irritate nearby nerves.
Primary condition · VASRD 5230
Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
A stiff or frozen middle finger that can’t move or bend like normal.
Secondary condition · VASRD 7119
Peripheral Vascular Disease
A circulation disorder causing reduced blood flow, especially in the legs.
Peripheral Vascular Disease VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Peripheral Vascular Disease the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger — severity of Peripheral Vascular Disease itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
10% Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger + 40% Peripheral Vascular Disease = 46%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 10% and 40% combine to 46%, not 50%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Peripheral Vascular Disease Secondary Claim
- •Vascular imaging showing arterial narrowing or blockage.
- •Ankle-brachial index test results, the specific measurement this rating depends on.
- •Doppler ultrasound studies of blood flow in the legs.
Common questions about Peripheral Vascular Disease secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger
- Can Peripheral Vascular Disease be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
- 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. Fixed joint can irritate nearby nerves. You'll need a current Peripheral Vascular Disease diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connecte…
- What VA rating can I get for Peripheral Vascular Disease as a secondary condition?
- Peripheral Vascular Disease is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 7119 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 20%, 40%, 60%, 100%. The rating depends on the severity of Peripheral Vascular Disease itself, not on the severity of Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger.
- How does a secondary Peripheral Vascular Disease claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 10% rating for Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger combined with a 40% rating for Peripheral Vascular Disease (example figures) produces a combined rating of 46%, not 50%. Approving Peripheral Vascular Disease as second…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Peripheral Vascular Disease as secondary to Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Peripheral Vascular Disease diagnosis includes: Vascular imaging showing arterial narrowing or blockage.; Ankle-brachial index test results, the specific measurement this rating depends on.; Doppler ultrasound studies of blood flow in the legs.. For the secondary link itself, a nexus…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger guide
Secondary condition
Full Peripheral Vascular Disease guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Ankylosis of the Long (Middle) Finger and Peripheral Vascular Disease combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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