Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5020
Osteomyelitis Secondary to Ventral Hernia
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 Osteomyelitis when it develops after Ventral Hernia.
Why Osteomyelitis Is Linked to Ventral Hernia
Surgical site may be vulnerable
Primary condition · VASRD 7339
Ventral Hernia
A ventral hernia is a bulge through a weakness in the abdominal wall, most often at a prior surgical incision site, where abdominal tissue pushes through weakened muscle. It's rated primarily on size and how well it's controlled with a support belt, similar in structure to how inguinal hernias are rated.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5020
Osteomyelitis
A serious bone infection that can damage tissue and lead to disability.
Osteomyelitis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Osteomyelitis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ventral Hernia — severity of Osteomyelitis itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
20% Ventral Hernia + 30% Osteomyelitis = 44%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 20% and 30% combine to 44%, not 50%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Osteomyelitis Secondary Claim
- •MRI or bone scan confirming infection
- •Hospital records showing treatment or surgery
- •Bone biopsy or positive culture
Common questions about Osteomyelitis secondary to Ventral Hernia
- Can Osteomyelitis be service-connected as secondary to Ventral Hernia?
- 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. Surgical site may be vulnerable You'll need a current Osteomyelitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Ventral Hernia — the…
- What VA rating can I get for Osteomyelitis as a secondary condition?
- Osteomyelitis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5020 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 Osteomyelitis itself, not on the severity of Ventral Hernia.
- How does a secondary Osteomyelitis 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 Ventral Hernia combined with a 30% rating for Osteomyelitis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 44%, not 50%. Approving Osteomyelitis as secondary still typically raises your overall combined ra…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Osteomyelitis as secondary to Ventral Hernia?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Osteomyelitis diagnosis includes: MRI or bone scan confirming infection; Hospital records showing treatment or surgery; Bone biopsy or positive culture. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider explaining how Ventral Hernia caused or aggravated Osteomyel…
Primary condition
Full Ventral Hernia guide
Secondary condition
Full Osteomyelitis guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Ventral Hernia and Osteomyelitis combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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