Diabetes affects thousands of veterans, and its impact often extends far beyond the initial diagnosis. When service-connected diabetes leads to other health issues, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes these as secondary conditions. Understanding these secondary connections ensures you receive the full compensation and benefits you deserve for your military service.

What Are Secondary Conditions in VA Claims?

In the VA disability system, a secondary condition is an illness or injury caused or worsened by an existing service-connected condition. If you already have a service-connected rating for diabetes mellitus, which is really common among veterans, particularly those exposed to Agent Orange, any new disability that develops as a direct result of that diabetes can also be service-connected.

How Diabetes Can Cause Secondary Conditions

Diabetes affects how your body processes blood sugar. Over time, consistently high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the entire body. Because of this damage, diabetes rarely exists in isolation. It acts as a catalyst that affects multiple body systems and can lead to a wide range of serious health complications.

Common VA Secondary Conditions to Diabetes

Veterans with service-connected diabetes frequently develop additional health problems. Here are some of the most common secondary conditions you should know about:

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most frequent secondary claims associated with diabetes. Elevated blood sugar damages the nerve fibers, most often in the legs and feet. This condition causes numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and severe pain, making it difficult to walk or perform daily tasks.

Heart Disease

Diabetes significantly increases your risk of developing cardiovascular problems. The damage to blood vessels forces the heart to work harder, which can lead to coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.

Kidney Disease

Your kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessel clusters that filter waste from your blood. Diabetes damages this system, leading to a condition called diabetic nephropathy. This can progress to chronic kidney disease or even kidney failure.

Vision Problems

High blood sugar impacts the small blood vessels in the retina. Veterans with diabetes often develop eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, early-onset cataracts, and glaucoma. Left untreated, these conditions can cause severe vision loss or blindness.

Foot Ulcers

Diabetes can cause foot ulcers mainly due to nerve damage and poor circulation. Nerve damage reduces feeling in the feet, so small cuts or blisters often go unnoticed. At the same time, reduced blood flow slows healing and makes infections more likely. As a result, minor injuries can worsen into serious open sores called diabetic foot ulcers.

Charcot Arthropathy

Diabetes can cause Charcot arthropathy due to nerve damage that reduces pain sensation in the feet. Because the injuries often go unnoticed, repetitive stress continues to be placed on already damaged bones and joints. This can lead to ongoing inflammation, weakening of the structures, and progressive deterioration of the foot or ankle joints.

Skin Conditions & Infections

Veterans with diabetes are more prone to skin conditions usually due to poor circulation, nerve damage, and slower wound healing. Common skin-related issues conditions include:

• Bacterial Infections⎯Boils, styes, and infected hair follicles.
• Fungal Infections⎯Athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, and yeast infections.
• Diabetic Dermopathy⎯Light brown, scaly patches, often on the shins.
• Skin discoloration and pigmentation changes
• Recurrent cellulitis or skin inflammation

How to File a Claim for Secondary Conditions

To secure benefits for a secondary condition, you need to submit a new claim for disability compensation. You can apply online on the VA’s website, by mail, or in person using VA Form 21-526EZ. When you fill out your application, clearly state that you are claiming the new disability as secondary to your existing service-connected diabetes.

Medical Evidence Needed For a Claim for Secondary Conditions

Winning a secondary claim requires solid medical evidence and other supplementary proof. The VA will not automatically assume your new condition stems from your diabetes. You must provide three specific pieces of evidence:

• A current medical diagnosis for the new condition.
• Proof of your existing service-connected diabetes.
• A medical nexus (link) connecting the new condition to your diabetes.

Experienced VA Disability Claims Attorneys

Managing diabetes is challenging enough without navigating the complexities of VA claims on your own. If your service-connected diabetes has led to additional health struggles, you have every right to claim those conditions and increase your overall disability rating.

Our attorneys have had the privilege of representing veterans for decades, helping them secure the benefits they deserve. Our VA-accredited veterans disability attorneys serve clients nationwide. Contact us 24/7 by calling us at (833) 922-2799 or filling out our online form for a free case review and consultation. 

FAQs

What are secondary conditions to diabetes?

Secondary conditions are health issues that develop because of diabetes or are worsened by it. They may be considered secondary service-connected when medical evidence clearly establishes a link to your diabetes.

What are the most common VA secondary conditions to diabetes?

Common secondary conditions include diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease, heart disease, skin conditions, and diabetic foot complications such as ulcers or Charcot foot.

What evidence is needed to claim a secondary condition?

You typically need medical evidence showing a current diagnosis, and a medical nexus letter linking the condition to your service-connected diabetes.

Do secondary conditions increase my VA disability rating?

They can, because each service-connected condition is rated separately and then combined, which may increase your overall disability compensation.