Service Connection
This is the Single greatest victory when it comes to VA disability claims. While you may get disappointed at receiving a 0% rating, it shows that you have overcome the greatest hurtle of the VA disability process.
Service Connection
This is the Single greatest victory when it comes to VA disability claims. While you may get disappointed at receiving a 0% rating, it shows that you have overcome the greatest hurtle of the VA disability process.
Simply put, it means that the VA has recognized that your disability is the result of your military service.
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Establishing Service Connection
To establish service connection the Veteran's claim must include the following three elements:
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Current diagnosis
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In-service event or another service-connected disability
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A Nexus letter/independent medical opinion connecting 1. and 2. together.
NOTES:
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For those who are still Active Duty, just having item one will be sufficient.
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You do NOT need all three of those elements when you initially file your claim, your claims examiner can help you. Especially with item three, as your C&P examiner can opine service connection. However, it is STRONGLY recommended that you do have at least have item one and two before you file your claim to increase the chances of a successful claim.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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There are certain circumstances and conditions the VA will NOT grant service connection. Click HERE to learn more.
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Types of Service Connection
There are four types of service connection; aggravated, presumptive, primary, and secondary.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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The only practical difference between the presumptive, primary, and secondary service connection is the source of the service connection. There are NO differences in how they are rated!
Aggravated Service Connection
Click HERE for information.
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Presumptive Service Connection
For certain groups of eligible Veterans (which includes recently separated Veterans). You may be entitled to presumptive service connection for certain disabilities. Assuming certain conditions are meet.
Click HERE for more information.
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Primary Service Connection
When your disability is the result of your military service OR occurred during your military service. This includes pre-existing conditions that were made worse by your service.
NOTE:
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If during your AD service a condition causes further disabilities those secondary conditions WILL be considered and labeled as primary by the VA. This is due to the fact that everything occurred during your service.
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Secondary Service Connection
When a disability that is already service-connected causes additional disabilities.
NOTES:
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Secondary conditions can have their own secondary conditions, etc.
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Each secondary condition will be awarded their own individual ratings.
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See Also
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