Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5125
Hand, Loss of Use Secondary to Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)
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 Hand, Loss of Use when it develops after Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage).
Why Hand, Loss of Use Is Linked to Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)
Nerve signal issues
Primary condition · VASRD 8511
Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)
Nerve damage in the neck causing arm weakness, tingling, or loss of function.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5125
Hand, Loss of Use
This code covers loss of use of one hand - the point at which the hand keeps no effective function, whether the cause is a crush injury, nerve paralysis or anything else. It rates the dominant (major) hand at 70 percent and the non-dominant (minor) hand at 60. It is loss of function, not amputation: the amputation levels have their own codes.
Hand, Loss of Use VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Hand, Loss of Use the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) — severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
20% Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) + 70% Hand, Loss of Use = 76%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 20% and 70% combine to 76%, not 90%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Hand, Loss of Use Secondary Claim
- •Occupational therapy reports assessing hand function.
- •Strength testing and daily task logs.
Common questions about Hand, Loss of Use secondary to Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)
- Can Hand, Loss of Use be service-connected as secondary to Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)?
- 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. Nerve signal issues You'll need a current Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Middle Radicular Group (Nerv…
- What VA rating can I get for Hand, Loss of Use as a secondary condition?
- Hand, Loss of Use is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5125 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 70%, 60%. The rating depends on the severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself, not on the severity of Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage).
- How does a secondary Hand, Loss of Use claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 20% rating for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) combined with a 70% rating for Hand, Loss of Use (example figures) produces a combined rating of 76%, not 90%. Approving Hand, Loss of Use as secondary still typically…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Hand, Loss of Use as secondary to Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis includes: Occupational therapy reports assessing hand function.; Strength testing and daily task logs.. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) caused or aggravated Hand, L…
Primary condition
Full Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) guide
Secondary condition
Full Hand, Loss of Use guide
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See how Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) and Hand, Loss of Use combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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