What is required to demonstrate secondary service connection (SC)?

To establish secondary service connection for a disability, it is essential to demonstrate a causal relationship between a primary service-connected condition and the secondary condition. This means that for a veteran to claim that one medical condition (the secondary condition) is related to or has resulted from another condition (the primary service-connected condition), there must be clear evidence that the primary condition has caused or has aggravated the secondary condition.

This concept is rooted in the understanding that the VA acknowledges that some conditions can develop as a direct consequence of an already service-connected condition. For instance, if a veteran has a service-connected injury that leads to a chronic pain syndrome, the chronic pain could be recognized as a secondary condition related to the primary injury. Thus, establishing this direct link is crucial for the veteran's claim to be successful.

In contrast to the requirement for a causal relationship, other options do not adequately capture the essence of what is specifically needed for secondary service connection. Proving that a condition was incurred during service pertains more to primary service connection, while an event that aggravates a condition would not be sufficient without establishing the necessary causal link. Confirmation of the inception of both conditions during service does not align with the parameters needed to establish secondary service connection, as the connection focuses on the