Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5019
Bursitis Secondary to Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness
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 Bursitis when it develops after Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness.
Why Bursitis Is Linked to Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness
Altered movement stresses the hip area.
Primary condition · VASRD 5245
Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness
Sacroiliac joint problems cause lower back and pelvic pain, especially when standing or climbing stairs.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5019
Bursitis
Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion bones and joints, causing pain or limited motion.
Bursitis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Bursitis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness — severity of Bursitis itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
10% Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness + 10% Bursitis = 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 Bursitis Secondary Claim
- •Orthopedic exam reports documenting the diagnosis and its severity.
- •Range-of-motion testing showing how much the affected joint's movement is limited.
Common questions about Bursitis secondary to Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness
- Can Bursitis be service-connected as secondary to Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness?
- 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. Altered movement stresses the hip area. You'll need a current Bursitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Sacroiliac Injury…
- What VA rating can I get for Bursitis as a secondary condition?
- Bursitis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5019 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 20%, 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Bursitis itself, not on the severity of Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness.
- How does a secondary Bursitis 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 Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness combined with a 10% rating for Bursitis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 19%, not 20%. Approving Bursitis as secondary still typically raises your overall combi…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Bursitis as secondary to Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Bursitis diagnosis includes: Orthopedic exam reports documenting the diagnosis and its severity.; Range-of-motion testing showing how much the affected joint's movement is limited.. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Sacroiliac Injur…
Primary condition
Full Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness guide
Secondary condition
Full Bursitis guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness and Bursitis combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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