WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsIf the VA already service-connected your shoulder condition (also called shoulder pain, rotator cuff, shoulder impingement, shoulder instability), it can cause or worsen other conditions that are ratable on their own. These "secondary" claims are where many veterans leave money on the table. Below is what a service-connected shoulder condition commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (shoulder condition) is already service-connected, and you have a nexus — a doctor's opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" the cause. More on nexus letters →
Chronic shoulder guarding and compensatory posture can strain the neck over time; the VA will consider a cervical condition secondary to a shoulder disability.
What you'd need: Imaging/exam of the neck plus a nexus opinion linking it to the shoulder condition.
Overusing the good arm to spare an injured shoulder can wear out the opposite shoulder over years (overcompensation).
What you'd need: Imaging/exam of the opposite shoulder and a nexus opinion attributing it to overcompensation for the service-connected shoulder.
Persistent shoulder pain and lost function can lead to depression or anxiety, which the VA rates separately.
What you'd need: A mental health diagnosis and a nexus opinion tying the mood disorder to the chronic shoulder pain and limitations.