April 24, 2025, 2:00-3:30 PM ET: The Power of Secondary Service Connection

When a veteran develops a disability due to military service, the ramifications can be severe. Service-connected disabilities can affect the veteran’s ability to work, perform household chores, and enjoy leisurely activities. They also often lead to the development of new disabilities and worsen already existing conditions. When this happens, the veteran can obtain service-connected disability benefits for the other condition under the theory of secondary service connection. This webinar will teach advocates how to identify conditions that may be secondary to a primary condition that is service connected. It will also provide specific strategies for obtaining service connection for conditions that are often caused or aggravated by some of the most common primary service-connected disabilities.

This webinar will cover the intricacies of secondary service connection claims, including the following and more:

• The rules for establishing secondary service connection on both a causation and aggravation basis, including when a condition cannot be treated because of a primary service-connected disability
• When VA must address secondary service connection claims that aren’t expressly raised by a veteran
• Tips for obtaining service connection for cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and other conditions as secondary to PTSD
• Advice for obtaining service connection for mental disabilities, such as depression, as secondary to service-connected physical conditions
• How veterans may obtain service connection for disabilities cause or aggravated by medication, drug and alcohol use, and obesity associated with a primary disability