What must a Veteran demonstrate for a non-service-connected condition to be considered aggravated by a service-connected disability?

For a non-service-connected condition to be considered aggravated by a service-connected disability, it is essential for the Veteran to provide proof of an increase in severity due to military service. This means there must be clear evidence showing that the service-connected disability has not only coincided with the non-service-connected condition but has actually worsened it beyond its natural progression.

Demonstrating aggravation involves a medical assessment that links the worsening of the non-service-connected condition directly to the effects of the service-connected disability. This requirement is critical because it helps establish that the military service is not just associated with the existence of the non-service-connected condition, but has actively contributed to its increased severity. Thus, a thorough evaluation of the medical evidence is necessary to substantiate this claim for benefits related to the aggravation of a preexisting condition.