Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 6601
Bronchiectasis Secondary to Scleroderma
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 Bronchiectasis when it develops after Scleroderma.
Why Bronchiectasis Is Linked to Scleroderma
Lung involvement common
Primary condition · VASRD 7821
Scleroderma
The schedule has no diagnostic code of its own titled scleroderma. DC 7821 covers "cutaneous manifestations of collagen-vascular diseases not listed elsewhere," and names scleroderma, calcinosis cutis, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and dermatomyositis inside that title. What this code evaluates is the skin involvement, under the General Rating Formula for the Skin: how much of the body or of the exposed areas the characteristic lesions cover, and how much systemic therapy the condition has required over the past 12 months.
Secondary condition · VASRD 6601
Bronchiectasis
A condition where airways in the lungs become permanently widened, leading to mucus buildup and infections.
Bronchiectasis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Bronchiectasis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Scleroderma — severity of Bronchiectasis itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
30% Scleroderma + 30% Bronchiectasis = 51%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 30% and 30% combine to 51%, not 60%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Bronchiectasis Secondary Claim
- •A CT scan showing bronchial dilation, the imaging finding that confirms the diagnosis.
- •Pulmonary function test (PFT) results.
- •A documented history of antibiotic treatment for lung infections.
Common questions about Bronchiectasis secondary to Scleroderma
- Can Bronchiectasis be service-connected as secondary to Scleroderma?
- 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. Lung involvement common You'll need a current Bronchiectasis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Scleroderma — the same stan…
- What VA rating can I get for Bronchiectasis as a secondary condition?
- Bronchiectasis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 6601 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 Bronchiectasis itself, not on the severity of Scleroderma.
- How does a secondary Bronchiectasis claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 30% rating for Scleroderma combined with a 30% rating for Bronchiectasis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 51%, not 60%. Approving Bronchiectasis as secondary still typically raises your overall combined rat…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Bronchiectasis as secondary to Scleroderma?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Bronchiectasis diagnosis includes: A CT scan showing bronchial dilation, the imaging finding that confirms the diagnosis.; Pulmonary function test (PFT) results.; A documented history of antibiotic treatment for lung infections.. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a t…
Primary condition
Full Scleroderma guide
Secondary condition
Full Bronchiectasis guide
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See how Scleroderma and Bronchiectasis combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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