Secondary Knee Injury?

[sehinchee]

What are the guidelines for establishing a secondary condition? I injured my knee in BCT and I am service connected for a total knee replacement (dc 5055). I have had arthroscopic surgery which revealed arthritis in the other knee. Would this be SC’d as a secondary condition?

[vmo]

You need to go to private orthopedic physician and obtain a written opinion on his letterhead that your total knee replacement (pre and post surgery) has caused secondary aggravation to the arthritic knee causing you additional pain. If the VA physician is your only physician, you may have a tuff time getting him/her to say this. I recommend going outside the VA to obtain this physician statement if you can afford it or hopefully, you have medical insurance. See 38CFR,section 3.310---which basically says secondary service connection can be established......where a service connected disability aggravates (worsens) a non service connected condition.

Edited November 11, 2008 by vmo