An initial service-connected foot, knee, or ankle injury rarely stays isolated; over time, an altered gait and skeletal misalignment naturally force structural compensation that can steadily destroy your lower back and opposite hip. In this video, we break down the medical reality of how lower extremity conditions trigger cascading structural damage, mapping out the exact steps required under VA regulations to link these brand-new, secondary ratable conditions directly to your primary orthopedic rating. Stop leaving your true combined rating on the table and learn how to secure an independent biomechanical evaluation, track pain patterns via a detailed personal impact statement, and assemble a bulletproof file to bypass rater delays.
