Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7806
Dermatitis or Eczema Secondary to Chronic Lymphedema
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 Dermatitis or Eczema when it develops after Chronic Lymphedema.
Why Dermatitis or Eczema Is Linked to Chronic Lymphedema
Frequent infections
Primary condition · VASRD 7123
Chronic Lymphedema
Swelling in arms or legs due to a blocked lymphatic system, often painful or disabling.
Secondary condition · VASRD 7806
Dermatitis or Eczema
A chronic skin condition causing rashes, redness, itching, or flaking, often worsened by allergens or stress.
Dermatitis or Eczema VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Dermatitis or Eczema the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Chronic Lymphedema — severity of Dermatitis or Eczema itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
40% Chronic Lymphedema + 10% Dermatitis or Eczema = 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 Dermatitis or Eczema Secondary Claim
- •Dermatology records with area measurement (percentage of body affected)
- •Photos showing visible skin lesions
- •Medication history (topical or oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressants)
Common questions about Dermatitis or Eczema secondary to Chronic Lymphedema
- Can Dermatitis or Eczema be service-connected as secondary to Chronic Lymphedema?
- 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. Frequent infections You'll need a current Dermatitis or Eczema diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Chronic Lymphedema — the…
- What VA rating can I get for Dermatitis or Eczema as a secondary condition?
- Dermatitis or Eczema is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 7806 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 60%, 30%, 10%, 0%. The rating depends on the severity of Dermatitis or Eczema itself, not on the severity of Chronic Lymphedema.
- How does a secondary Dermatitis or Eczema 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 Chronic Lymphedema combined with a 10% rating for Dermatitis or Eczema (example figures) produces a combined rating of 46%, not 50%. Approving Dermatitis or Eczema as secondary still typically raises your o…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Dermatitis or Eczema as secondary to Chronic Lymphedema?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Dermatitis or Eczema diagnosis includes: Dermatology records with area measurement (percentage of body affected); Photos showing visible skin lesions; Medication history (topical or oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressants). For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treati…
Primary condition
Full Chronic Lymphedema guide
Secondary condition
Full Dermatitis or Eczema guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Chronic Lymphedema and Dermatitis or Eczema combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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