An important piece of the VA application is the “nexus letter.” If you’ve spoken to someone about filing your claim, you may have heard this term mentioned. Nexus Letters in Veterans Disability cases are written by treating physicians to connect the dots between your military service and your illness or injury.
Nexus letters are a supplemental entry into your claim file. This letter includes a definitive medical opinion that brings together the different pieces and ties them together into a cohesive narrative that clearly explains your story to the VA. Without it, your claim file may be nothing more than a collection of records and random documents that don’t entirely make sense. A nexus letter could be the difference between approval and denial, including a long-term appeals process.
The Nexus Letter Explained
This is a document written by a qualified healthcare professional who knows your medical history and offers their considered opinion on the connection between your current injuries, medical condition, or other events and your previous military tenure. The nexus letter helps you establish the connection between military service and the condition.
Although documentation like medical records is a requirement, a nexus letter is not. However, without a nexus letter, your application may not have the strength it needs for approval. Including an opinion from a medical expert can make a positive difference in your claim.
Qualifying For Veterans Disability Benefits
A veteran must have a current diagnosis of a physical and/or medical condition, an in-service illness, injury, or other event, and a “nexus”—the connection—linking them. Without the connection between the condition and military service, the VA will deny your claim.
Nexus letters in veterans’ disability claims firmly establish and document this connection and make it unmistakable. These letters go a long way in not only establishing a primary condition but also more composite or secondary conditions that are not as clearly linked to military service. This can include conditions stemming from a prescribed medication taken while on active duty or mental health conditions such as PTSD.
How To Get A Nexus Letter For A VA Claim
Your first choice may be your current primary care physician. However, if they decline, you’ll need to find another physician, such as a specialist for your condition. For instance, if the basis of your claim is a heart condition, a cardiologist might be the best option for a nexus letter.
The nexus letter should also include:
- The author’s professional experience and credentials
- Their connection to the veteran, i.e., current or former healthcare provider, independent medical evaluator, etc.
- Identification of the veteran’s diagnosis
- A statement to identify which service and/or medical records reviewed
- An explanation of the connection between the veteran’s prior military service and their condition, referencing the veteran’s medical records and clinical findings
- Phrasing that specifies the level of medical certainty supporting the author’s opinion, such as “more likely than not” or “at least as likely as not”
Make sure that the physician has a strong understanding of VA disability standards, and provide them with a copy of all your relevant service and medical records. Your veteran disability attorney can assist in providing necessary information to this physician, answer all questions, and ensure that your claim application is done correctly.
Herren Law Helps Houston Veterans
Getting veteran’s disability benefits is a difficult process requiring patience and understanding of the law. Nexus Letters in Veterans Disability claims often play a crucial role in proving the connection between a veteran’s service and their medical condition. William Herren is a veterans disability attorney who has helped more than 4,000 Houstonians get the benefits they deserve.
Call The Herren Law Firm today at 713-682-8194 (or use our online contact form) to schedule your free consultation. There’s no obligation, and we’ll take your case on a contingency fee basis with no up-front charges. You don’t owe a fee until we win your case.
