Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5106
Hand, Loss of Use Secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist (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 Hand, Loss of Use when it develops after Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major).
Why Hand, Loss of Use Is Linked to Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major)
Reduced wrist flexibility affects hand strength
Primary condition · VASRD 5215
Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major)
A fused wrist joint with no ability to bend, often due to trauma or arthritis.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5106
Hand, Loss of Use
Complete inability to use the hand for grasping or manipulation.
Hand, Loss of Use VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Hand, Loss of Use the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major) — severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
40% Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major) + 70% Hand, Loss of Use = 82%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 40% and 70% combine to 82%, not 110%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Hand, Loss of Use Secondary Claim
- •Occupational therapy reports
- •Strength testing and daily task logs
Common questions about Hand, Loss of Use secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major)
- Can Hand, Loss of Use be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist (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. Reduced wrist flexibility affects hand strength You'll need a current Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected…
- What VA rating can I get for Hand, Loss of Use as a secondary condition?
- Hand, Loss of Use is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5106 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 70%, 60%. The rating depends on the severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself, not on the severity of Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major).
- How does a secondary Hand, Loss of Use 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 Wrist (Major) combined with a 70% rating for Hand, Loss of Use (example figures) produces a combined rating of 82%, not 110%. Approving Hand, Loss of Use as secondary still typically raises…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Hand, Loss of Use as secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major)?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis includes: Occupational therapy reports; Strength testing and daily task logs. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major) caused or aggravated Hand, Loss of Use is typically the decid…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major) guide
Secondary condition
Full Hand, Loss of Use guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Ankylosis of the Wrist (Major) and Hand, Loss of Use combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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