If you seek veterans’ benefits or had your initial claim denied, you may need to support your claim for disability compensation with a medical nexus letter to prove a connection between your condition and your military service. During the appeals process, the Department of Veterans Affairs can require additional proof that the medical issues or disability you are experiencing directly correlates to your time in the military.
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What is a VA Nexus Letter?
The term nexus means to link. In this case, your doctor is linking your current medical condition or disability claims with your military service. A successful nexus letter is drafted by a medical professional, has an affirming statement reviewing the veteran’s medical history, provides supporting evidence, references to medical research, and ends with specific language that confirms their medical opinion.
The letter must be credible, follow standard business format, and be written and signed on letterhead. The doctor needs to include that they have carefully reviewed your medical history, including your VA medical records, service treatment or military records, and DD214 Form. A DD214 form is a document that verifies your proof of military service.
From there, the doctor needs to include all nexus evidence that supports their argument that connects your current disability and your military service. This could include private medical records or a statement from someone else that provides additional information. In addition to the supporting evidence, the doctor or medical staff should consist of references to current medical research to provide context and substance to their conclusion.
Finally, the doctor should conclude with a clear statement that your condition or disability is, to a specific degree, the result of your service. That exact phrasing of the degree needs to be from this scale: “not likely,” “at least as likely as not,” “more than likely,” and “highly likely.” The doctor should include their credentials either in the letter or attached.
How to Get a Successful Nexus Opinion
Fortunately, obtaining a medical nexus letter is not difficult. The first step is to talk to your doctor and see if they can write a letter connecting your current medical condition with your military service. Your doctor will likely need information about when and where you served, as well as what type of injuries or illnesses you sustained while on duty.
You may see a doctor who routinely writes nexus opinions, reviews veterans’ records. Still, if you have a doctor you’d like to work with, know that any qualified medical physician can write a nexus opinion on your behalf. VA doctors are also allowed to write or sign nexus letters.
You should speak with your doctor first to see if they will assist you with your disability claim. You may draft the nexus letter using the specific guidelines listed above and ask your doctor to review it, add it, and sign off on it if they believe it’s factual.
Once your doctor agrees to help you with your disability claim, you’ll want to gather your medical records. This includes any records from VA hospitals or clinics, as well as any private healthcare providers you have seen. Once you have your doctor’s letter and your medical records, you can complete VA Form 21-4138, letting the VA know you’ve filed for disability compensation.
Need Assistance with your VA Disability Claims?
If the VA denied your disability claim, your case could depend on a well-written nexus letter. In many situations, the nexus letter from an expert in the critical evidence will help your case. You deserve access to the benefits you earned through your service – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Bross & Frankel can help if your disability claim continues to get denied, and can help work with your doctor or provider at crafting a winning nexus letter. We have extensive experience with veterans disability benefits law, and we have dedicated our practice to assisting disabled veterans like you. Speak with a veterans benefits lawyer today.
Will a Non-VA doctor write a nexus opinion?
If you seek VA disability benefits, you must have a medical nexus letter. This letter connects your current medical condition and either a service-connected condition or an event related to your military service. Without this letter, your claim may be denied.
If so, you may be entitled to receive medical care for injuries or illnesses related to your military service. But first, the Department of Veterans Affairs needs proof that these conditions are connected to your time in the military. That’s where Nexus Letters come into play.
If so, we may be able to help. Our team of experts can provide evidence that your current medical conditions are connected to your time in the military. We’ve helped thousands of veterans and their families receive compensation for service-related injuries and illnesses. Let us help you too!
What Should Your Doctor Write About Your Presumptive Service Connection?
The term nexus means to link. In this case, your doctor is linking your current medical condition or disability claims with your military service. A successful nexus letter is drafted by a medical professional, has an affirming statement reviewing the veteran’s medical history, provides supporting evidence, references to medical research, and ends with specific language that confirms their medical opinion.
The letter needs to be credible, follow standard business format, and be written and signed on letterhead. The medical expert needs to include that they have carefully reviewed your medical history, including the service event.
Finally, the doctor should conclude with a clear statement that your current condition or disability is, to a specific degree, the result of your service. That exact phrasing of the degree needs to be from this scale: “not likely,” “at least as likely as not,” “more than likely,” and “highly likely.” The doctor should include their credentials either in the letter or attached.
Can you win a VA claim without a nexus letter?
No, you may not need a nexus letter to receive VA disability compensation. As a veteran, you may be entitled to receive medical care for injuries or illnesses related to your military service. Suppose the VA determines that your disability or illness may not be directly associated with your service. In that case, the Department of Veterans Affairs will ask for proof that these conditions are connected to your time in the military. That’s where nexus statements come into play.
These letters connect current medical conditions with veterans’ military service and help veterans get access to VA benefits they deserve.
What Disability or Conditions Should You Have for VA?
The VA considers some health conditions to be presumed disabilities for veterans’ benefits which includes chronic illnesses that appear within a year of service discharge, illnesses caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials, and any sickness caused by time spent as a prisoner of war.
In addition to those disabilities, the most common medical claims veterans struggle with are
- PTSD – Post-traumatic stress disorder
- TBI – Traumatic brain injuries
- Various anxiety and depression disorders
- Physical injuries such as lower back and neck injuries
As long as the injury, condition, or health problem began or got worse during your service, a service connection can be established with the help of an experienced veteran’s disability lawyer.
Rich Frankel is the managing partner of Bross & Frankel. He is a member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania bars. He has focused exclusively on disability and social security benefits since 2005.
Mr. Frankel joined what is now Bross & Frankel after having watched his father struggle with disability, fighting a lengthy illness. Mr. Frankel founded the firm’s veteran’s law practice and substantially grew the social security disability practice, focusing Bross & Frankel’s ability to fight for all of the disability benefits available to his clients.
Mr. Frankel additionally fights for clients in court, obtaining frequent victories in Social Security appeals and against insurance companies in Federal court.