Did you know that there are five ways for veterans to establish service connection? Yes!!!!!! First, there's the Direct Service Connection. The injury/illness happened to the veteran while on active duty. For example, the veteran was playing basketball and hurt his knee. The knee issue was documented in his service treatment records and continued after leaving the military. Filing a knee claim for compensation using the direct service connection method works .
Second, Presumptive Service Connection. This type of service connection is when the VA assumes that a veteran meets the criteria for an illness due to serving in a certain place at a certain time. For example, a veteran served in Southeast Asia (Vietnam) and was exposed to herbicides such as agent orange. Years later, that same veteran develops type 2 diabetes as a result of exposure. Another example would be veterans serving in Southwest Asia (Iraq) being exposed to toxins from the burn pits. Years later, veterans are having breathing problems due to burn pits.
Third Service Connection. Secondary Service Connection. In this service connection, a veteran is already Direct Service Connected with rated injuries or illness. New injuries or illnesses developed from the original rated disability. For example, while on active duty, a veteran has a service connected neck injury. That injury develops nerve damage down each side of the veteran's arms to include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome bilateral. The veteran now has a secondary condition to the primary condition.
The fourth is Aggravation of a condition. In this type of Service Connection, a veteran entered service with a documented injury/illness. That injury/illness got worse with military service. For example, a veteran joined the army with flat feet. Due to military service, the veteran's feet got worse. Once out, the veteran filed for compensation and won!!!!!!! The claim was based on a condition the veteran had prior to joining the military.
The fifth type of Service Connection is Title 38 U.S.C. 1151. This type of Service Connection is based upon a veteran suffering an additional illness or injury in the care of a VA or military healthcare facility. For example, while on active duty a veteran went in for a procedure and a medical professional issued the wrong medicine. The veteran went into a coma and was paralyzed. The veteran can file for compensation. Another example would be if a veteran attended a training facility under VR&E and got injured due to no fault of the VA. The issue with this type of service connection is medical evidence!!!!!
