Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5020
Osteomyelitis Secondary to Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet
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 Osteomyelitis when it develops after Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet.
Why Osteomyelitis Is Linked to Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet
Hygiene and care complications
Primary condition · VASRD 5119
Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet
A total disability affecting arms and legs, leading to full dependency.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5020
Osteomyelitis
A serious bone infection that can damage tissue and lead to disability.
Osteomyelitis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Osteomyelitis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet — severity of Osteomyelitis itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
100% Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet + 30% Osteomyelitis = 100%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 100% and 30% combine to 100%, not 130%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Osteomyelitis Secondary Claim
- •MRI or bone scan confirming infection
- •Hospital records showing treatment or surgery
- •Bone biopsy or positive culture
Common questions about Osteomyelitis secondary to Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet
- Can Osteomyelitis be service-connected as secondary to Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet?
- 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. Hygiene and care complications You'll need a current Osteomyelitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Loss of Use of Both H…
- What VA rating can I get for Osteomyelitis as a secondary condition?
- Osteomyelitis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5020 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 100%, 60%, 30%, 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Osteomyelitis itself, not on the severity of Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet.
- How does a secondary Osteomyelitis claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 100% rating for Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet combined with a 30% rating for Osteomyelitis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 100%, not 130%. Approving Osteomyelitis as secondary still typically rai…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Osteomyelitis as secondary to Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Osteomyelitis diagnosis includes: MRI or bone scan confirming infection; Hospital records showing treatment or surgery; Bone biopsy or positive culture. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet cause…
Primary condition
Full Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet guide
Secondary condition
Full Osteomyelitis guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Loss of Use of Both Hands and Both Feet and Osteomyelitis combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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