Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7119
Peripheral Vascular Disease Secondary to Diabetes mellitus
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 Diabetes mellitus.
Primary condition · VASRD 7129
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition where the body can't properly regulate blood sugar, requiring ongoing management through diet, medication, or insulin. It's a PACT Act presumptive condition for Vietnam-era veterans with qualifying Agent Orange exposure, and it commonly leads to secondary conditions like neuropathy, kidney disease, and vision problems that can each be claimed separately.
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 Diabetes mellitus — severity of Peripheral Vascular Disease itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
60% Diabetes mellitus + 40% Peripheral Vascular Disease = 76%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 60% and 40% combine to 76%, not 100%. 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 Diabetes mellitus
- Can Peripheral Vascular Disease be service-connected as secondary to Diabetes mellitus?
- 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. You'll need a current Peripheral Vascular Disease diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Diabetes mellitus — the same standard…
- 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 Diabetes mellitus.
- 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 60% rating for Diabetes mellitus combined with a 40% rating for Peripheral Vascular Disease (example figures) produces a combined rating of 76%, not 100%. Approving Peripheral Vascular Disease as secondary still typically…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Peripheral Vascular Disease as secondary to Diabetes mellitus?
- 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 Diabetes mellitus guide
Secondary condition
Full Peripheral Vascular Disease guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Diabetes mellitus and Peripheral Vascular Disease combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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