- Three requirements - Current diagnosis, in-service event, and nexus (link) between them
- Four types - Aggravation, Presumptive, Primary (Direct), and Secondary
- 0% still wins - Even 0% rating means VA acknowledges your condition is service-connected
- Active duty advantage - Just having a diagnosis while still serving is often sufficient
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.
Establishing Service-Connection
To establish service-connection the Veteran's claim must include the following 3 elements:
Current diagnosis
In-service event or another service-connected disability
A Nexus letter/independent medical opinion connecting 1. and 2. together.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
There are certain circumstances and conditions the VA will NOT grant service-connection.
Click HERE to learn more.
NOTES:
For those who are still Active Duty, just having item one will be sufficient (unless condition was Preexisting).
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.
Types of Service-Connection
There are four types of service connection:
Aggravation;
Presumptive;
Primary (Direct); and
Secondary.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
There are NO differences in how these type of service-connection conditions are rated! HOWEVER, the Effective dates of a secondary condition can NEVER be effective BEFORE the effective date of the service-connected condition that caused it.
Aggravation Service-Connection
When your military service or a service-connected condition made a preexisting condition worse.
Click HERE for information.
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.
Primary (Direct) Service-Connection
When your disability is the result of your military service OR occurred during your military service. This includes conditions caused by Toxic exposures.
NOTE:
If during your Active Duty 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.
Secondary Service-Connection
When a disability that is already service-connected causes additional disabilities.
NOTES:
Secondary conditions can have their own secondary conditions, etc.
Each secondary condition can be awarded their own individual ratings.