This week I want to remind veterans that you could be compensated for service-connected disabilities or diseases and that these disabilities and diseases do not always have to be directly related to military service. Let’s discuss a bit further the topic of establishing service-connection for a secondary condition.

A secondary condition is one that is directly related to another service-connected condition. For example, a veteran may have a service-connected right knee injury. By favoring the right knee, the left knee or possibly a hip begin to have problems. Although the left knee or hip problems were not actually incurred or aggravated by the veteran’s military service, service-connection could still be established as a secondary condition.

Still another example could be a veteran who is service-connected for diabetes and later develops circulatory problems or high blood pressure. These new problems could be service-connected as well due to a direct result of the diabetes.

For more information on this topic or any other questions you might have, contact Jerry Seiner, your local Veterans Service Officer. The Charles Mix County Veterans Service Office is located in the Charles Mix County Courthouse in Lake Andes. Stop in or give us a call at 605-487-7691 or 605-481-1338.