Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5010
Post-Traumatic Arthritis Secondary to Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula
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 Post-Traumatic Arthritis when it develops after Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula.
Why Post-Traumatic Arthritis Is Linked to Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula
Chronic instability leads to joint wear
Primary condition · VASRD 5203
Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula
Damage to the collarbone or shoulder blade that affects shoulder function and stability.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5010
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is joint degeneration that develops after a specific injury - such as a fracture, dislocation, or major ligament tear - rather than from general wear over time. Because it's rated using the same criteria as degenerative arthritis, the key difference for your claim is proving the arthritis traces back to a specific traumatic event.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Post-Traumatic Arthritis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula — severity of Post-Traumatic Arthritis itself determines the percentage.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Arthritis from injury with visible joint damage |
Example combined rating
10% Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula + 10% Post-Traumatic Arthritis = 19%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 10% and 10% combine to 19%, not 20%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Post-Traumatic Arthritis Secondary Claim
- •X-rays or an MRI showing degenerative changes in the specific joint that was injured.
- •Service medical records documenting the original fracture, dislocation, or joint trauma - this is the evidence that separates this diagnostic code from ordinary degenerative arthritis.
- •A treatment history showing continuity of symptoms from the original injury through to the current arthritis diagnosis.
Common questions about Post-Traumatic Arthritis secondary to Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula
- Can Post-Traumatic Arthritis be service-connected as secondary to Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula?
- 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. Chronic instability leads to joint wear You'll need a current Post-Traumatic Arthritis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected I…
- What VA rating can I get for Post-Traumatic Arthritis as a secondary condition?
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5010 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Post-Traumatic Arthritis itself, not on the severity of Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula.
- How does a secondary Post-Traumatic Arthritis 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 Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula combined with a 10% rating for Post-Traumatic Arthritis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 19%, not 20%. Approving Post-Traumatic Arthritis as secondary st…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Post-Traumatic Arthritis as secondary to Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Post-Traumatic Arthritis diagnosis includes: X-rays or an MRI showing degenerative changes in the specific joint that was injured.; Service medical records documenting the original fracture, dislocation, or joint trauma - this is the evidence that separates this diagnostic code from…
Primary condition
Full Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula guide
Secondary condition
Full Post-Traumatic Arthritis guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula and Post-Traumatic Arthritis combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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