Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5019
Bursitis Secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable)
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 Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable).
Why Bursitis Is Linked to Ankylosis of the Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable)
Compensatory overuse of shoulder muscles
Primary condition · VASRD 5223
Ankylosis of the Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable)
A condition where the wrist is stuck in a harmful position and cannot move.
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 Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable) — severity of Bursitis itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
40% Ankylosis of the Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable) + 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 Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable)
- Can Bursitis be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable)?
- 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 muscles You'll need a current Bursitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Ankylosis of the…
- 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 Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable).
- 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 Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable) combined with a 10% rating for Bursitis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 46%, not 50%. Approving Bursitis as secondary still typica…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Bursitis as secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable)?
- 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 Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable) guide
Secondary condition
Full Bursitis guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Ankylosis of the Wrist (Unfavorable, extremely unfavorable) and Bursitis combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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