Multi-hop secondary chains

Secondary claims can chain. The secondary condition you just won becomes the primary for the NEXT secondary, and so on. There is no rule against this. The only requirement is that each link in the chain is supported by a nexus opinion.

Worked example — a three-hop chain

1. Hop 1 (Direct/Presumptive). Veteran served in Vietnam. Diabetes Mellitus Type II becomes service-connected presumptively under Agent Orange.
2. Hop 2 (Secondary). Diabetes causes Peripheral Neuropathy in both feet. Filed as secondary to diabetes. Granted.
3. Hop 3 (Secondary to a secondary). Peripheral neuropathy causes chronic foot pain, leading to Major Depressive Disorder. Filed as secondary to peripheral neuropathy. Granted.

Each link in the chain is a separate rated condition contributing to the combined rating. The original Agent Orange exposure is no longer being re-litigated — it was established at hop 1 and stays established.

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