Pain Rating

[Vetrequest]

If you get service-connected for two conditions such as knee and later back at two different times will the VA rate you for pain as a secondary condition for both?

[broncovet]

I dont think so, but it is probably good for you.  "Pain" is a symptom.  We are compensated for symptoms of a particular body part or system.  

So, if you currently experience "Pain" which was not documented for your "knee condition" or "back condition" then you may be able to apply for an increase for both, due to the additional symptom of "pain".  

Others may chime in here, perhaps with a different opinion.  

Generally, VA benefits are designed to compensate you for lost earnings due to an injury or illness from military service, which limits your income earning potential.  

As an example, "knee pain" could/would limit your potential especially doing some specific jobs.  If you were a para trooper, for example, you may never be able to jump again due to knee pain.  

If your income earning potential means you are no longer able to maintain SGE (substantial gainful employment), due to SC conditions, then you may be eligible for tdiu.  That is, you have lost 100 percent of your potential to earn a living due to one or more sc conditions that rendered you unable to maintain gainful employment.  

In some circumstances, you can be retrained for a sedentary type postion, perhaps a computer programmer, an accountant or some other job which does not require a lot of use of your knees or back.  A voc rehab counselor can determine the feasability for retrianing, or he/she may decide you are unemployable.  

My advice would be to apply for an increase on both conditions/and or perhaps secondary condtions.  For example, it happens frequently where "your left knee" injured in service, actually injures your right knee because you favor that knee and it messes up the other one.  Bad knees can damage backs, and vice versa.  Only a doctor can opine if these things are linked, that is, provide a nexus which may or may not service connect them as secondary.  

Edited January 21 by broncovet