WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsIf the VA already service-connected your lower back (also called low back pain, lumbar strain, lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease), 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 lower back commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (lower back) 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 →
A damaged lower spine commonly pinches nerve roots, sending pain, numbness, or weakness down one or both legs. This is the single most-missed back secondary and each affected leg is rated separately.
What you'd need: A radiculopathy/sciatica diagnosis (often with EMG or documented sensory/motor findings) and a note tying the radiating symptoms to the service-connected back. Each leg (left/right) can be its own rating.
Chronic back pain changes how you walk and stand, overloading the hips and knees over years and accelerating joint wear (overcompensation).
What you'd need: Imaging or exam showing the hip/knee condition and a nexus opinion attributing it to the altered gait/biomechanics caused by the back disability.
Ongoing, limiting back pain is a recognized cause of depression and anxiety. A secondary mental health rating can substantially raise a combined rating.
What you'd need: A mental health diagnosis and a nexus opinion linking the mood disorder to the chronic pain and functional limits from the back condition.
Severe lumbar nerve involvement, and the pain medications used for the back, can contribute to ED. Service connection unlocks SMC-K even at a 0% rating.
What you'd need: An ED diagnosis, your medication list, and a nexus opinion tying it to the back condition or its treatment.
Long-term NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and opioids used for back pain irritate the stomach lining and cause reflux; the VA recognizes GERD secondary to service-connected pain treatment.
What you'd need: A GERD diagnosis, documentation of the chronic pain medications, and a nexus opinion linking the reflux to that medication use.