Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5125
Hand, Loss of Use Secondary to Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis.
Why Hand, Loss of Use Is Linked to Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
Reduced control due to nerve damage
Primary condition · VASRD 8516
Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
Damage to the ulnar nerve affecting the hand, especially the ring and pinky fingers, causing weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination.
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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis — severity of Hand, Loss of Use itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
30% Ulnar Nerve Paralysis + 70% Hand, Loss of Use = 79%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 30% and 70% combine to 79%, not 100%. 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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
- Can Hand, Loss of Use be service-connected as secondary to Ulnar Nerve Paralysis?
- 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. Reduced control due to nerve damage You'll need a current Hand, Loss of Use diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Ulnar Nerve…
- 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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis.
- 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 30% rating for Ulnar Nerve Paralysis combined with a 70% rating for Hand, Loss of Use (example figures) produces a combined rating of 79%, not 100%. Approving Hand, Loss of Use as secondary still typically raises your ove…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Hand, Loss of Use as secondary to Ulnar Nerve Paralysis?
- 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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis caused or aggravated Hand, Loss of Use is ty…
Primary condition
Full Ulnar Nerve Paralysis guide
Secondary condition
Full Hand, Loss of Use guide
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