Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5023
Tenosynovitis Secondary to Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor)
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 Tenosynovitis when it develops after Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor).
Why Tenosynovitis Is Linked to Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor)
Chronic non-use leads to muscular and tendon degeneration
Primary condition · VASRD 5217
Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor)
Complete loss of wrist function in the non-dominant hand.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5023
Tenosynovitis
Inflammation of the sheath that surrounds a tendon, causing pain and stiffness.
Tenosynovitis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Tenosynovitis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor) — severity of Tenosynovitis itself determines the percentage.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Inflamed tendon sheath makes movement painful. |
Example combined rating
60% Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor) + 10% Tenosynovitis = 64%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 60% and 10% combine to 64%, not 70%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Tenosynovitis Secondary Claim
- •Clinical findings of localized swelling
- •Imaging showing thickening of tendon sheath
- •Physical therapy or injection treatment records
Common questions about Tenosynovitis secondary to Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor)
- Can Tenosynovitis be service-connected as secondary to Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor)?
- 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 non-use leads to muscular and tendon degeneration You'll need a current Tenosynovitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-conn…
- What VA rating can I get for Tenosynovitis as a secondary condition?
- Tenosynovitis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5023 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Tenosynovitis itself, not on the severity of Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor).
- How does a secondary Tenosynovitis 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 Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor) combined with a 10% rating for Tenosynovitis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 64%, not 70%. Approving Tenosynovitis as secondary still typically raises your overa…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Tenosynovitis as secondary to Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor)?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Tenosynovitis diagnosis includes: Clinical findings of localized swelling; Imaging showing thickening of tendon sheath; Physical therapy or injection treatment records. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor)…
Primary condition
Full Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor) guide
Secondary condition
Full Tenosynovitis guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Loss of Use of Wrist (Minor) and Tenosynovitis combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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