The Importance of a Strong Medical Nexus Letter | VA Benefits

To strengthen your appeal for disability compensation, acquire a medical nexus letter from a healthcare provider explaining how your illness or injury is related to your military service.

Summary

• A medical nexus letter is critical for linking a veteran’s health condition to their military service.
• A strong nexus letter must include a detailed review of the veteran’s medical history and a clear conclusion linking the condition to their military service.
• Obtaining a nexus letter from a specialist can be challenging, but a VA disability attorney can help.
• A poorly written or missing nexus letter is a common reason for VA claim denials.
• Even with a nexus letter, the VA may still request a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to confirm service connection and assess symptoms.

Securing the VA disability benefits you deserve is not always easy. Even if you are confident that your health condition is the result of your service in the military, you may not be approved for benefits unless there is compelling evidence to support the link between the two.

A medical nexus letter is one of the best means of showing this connection. A veteran disability claim appeals attorney from VetLaw can leverage this, along with other forms of evidence, to document that you meet the requirements for VA disability benefits.

Not only do we have the experience needed to stand up to the VA effectively, but we also have the diligence necessary to see your veteran disability claim through to a satisfactory resolution. Don’t hesitate to call us at (855) 586-1022 or fill out a contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Let us explain how our legal services can benefit your VA disability claim appeal. We can also recommend strategies to maximize your veteran disability compensation.

What is a Medical Nexus Letter for a VA Claim?

A nexus letter explains the extent to which a veteran’s medical condition is connected to their military service. It is written by a qualified healthcare provider. The VA will review it in conjunction with other medical documentation to determine the VA benefits for which you are eligible.

What Are the Elements of a Good Letter?

A strong nexus letter is compelling, well-researched, and credible. Letters should be written on the doctor’s letterhead and signed by the doctor to boost credibility. To increase your chances of a successful claim, letters should include the following:

• A statement confirming the author has carefully reviewed the veteran’s medical history – such as the patient’s VA medical records, military service treatment records, and DD214 forms.
• Supporting evidence, such as private medical records and a statement from the veteran or a “buddy letter” from someone else providing additional information about the veteran’s disability.
• References to relevant medical research such as scientific studies and medical journal articles that support the author’s key points
• A strong conclusion that definitively states, at least, that the disability is “at least as likely as not” due to the veteran’s military service

In addition to the above elements, your letter should be concise. Some people think a longer letter will increase the chances their claim will be approved. This is not the case. VA raters review hundreds of letters per month. Therefore, a succinct, straightforward letter can help them make their decision quickly and with confidence.

To obtain a medical nexus letter, you need to request one from a qualified physician. Ideally, the physician you choose is a specialist in the field that encompasses your health condition.

For instance, it would be best to request a letter from a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist if you are seeking benefits for depression or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Depending on your medical condition, you may need to schedule a face-to-face appointment with the physician.

While asking for a medical nexus letter may sound simple, it isn’t always easy to secure a good one. Most physicians are busy handling a heavy patient load and may have little spare time to write a letter. Other physicians are not accustomed to writing nexus letters or might be reluctant to prepare a letter for you.

To avoid delays or a poorly written letter, you can ask a VA disability attorney for help. An experienced VA disability claims lawyer will have contacts to help you secure a good letter that is written by a specialist who treats the medical condition you have. These contacts can play a key role in helping you receive a favorable outcome with your claim.

Why is a Convincing Nexus Letter So Important?

The importance of a good nexus letter cannot be overemphasized. The content of your nexus letter can determine whether you receive VA disability benefits. It is extremely difficult to convince a claims reviewer that your health condition is linked to your service without a nexus letter.

What can happen if you fail to provide a good letter?

“Most denied veterans’ claims failed because of the lack of a nexus letter altogether or the lack of a properly written Nexus letter.” – State of North Dakota Veterans Affairs

Failure to provide a compelling nexus letter can lead to a rejection of your claim.

You may quickly find yourself facing a mounting stack of medical bills without any service-connected benefits to help you pay for them. While you can file an appeal, the VA appeals process can take months or even years. Also, there is no guarantee that you will receive the benefits you deserve.

What is the Key to Obtaining a Great Nexus Letter?

Not all nexus letters are created equal. Some are well-written, comprehensive, and convincing. Others are disorganized, incomplete, and weak. A weak medical nexus letter can undermine your veteran disability claim and cast doubt on the credibility of your case.

The single best way to ensure that your letter is clear and compelling is to contact a veteran disability lawyer right away. An experienced lawyer can help you obtain a convincing nexus letter from a qualified physician swiftly.

Find Out How to Increase Your Chances of a Successful VA Appeal by Contacting VetLaw

Whether you are struggling with your veteran’s benefits or you simply want to make sure you maximize them, a skilled lawyer can help you. We encourage you to reach out to us today to speak with one of our veteran disability lawyers.

We look forward to helping you secure the benefits you deserve. Get in touch with us at (855) 586-1022 or complete a contact form to schedule a free consultation with VetLaw.

We’ll carefully assess your VA disability claim and identify what areas we need to address. Then, we’ll make a plan to pursue the compensation you have earned for your service-connected conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need to submit a strong medical nexus letter for a mental health condition?

Including a strong medical nexus letter is essential in VA disability claims, whether they are related to physical or mental conditions. Oftentimes, a veteran with a mental health condition may not have a corresponding physical injury from their military service.

A nexus letter can help solidify the connection between the veteran’s in-service experiences and their psychological condition.

Should I still include my medical records in my VA disability claim if I already have a nexus letter from my doctor?

Generally speaking, when it comes to VA disability appeals, the more relevant documentation, the better.

The VA will still want to see your medical records even if they have a medical nexus letter from a healthcare provider, so be sure to submit them. Veterans should include medical records from VA healthcare centers, private healthcare providers, and in-service treatments.

Will the VA ask me to do a C&P exam if I have a nexus letter that explains my disability’s service connection?

Don’t be surprised if the VA still schedules a C&P exam for you, even if you submitted a medical nexus letter as a part of your claim. In many cases, the VA wants one of their own providers (or an approved contractor) to confirm your service connection. The VA may also want to gather more information on your symptoms. 

Then, the VA can move forward with verifying your benefits eligibility and providing an accurate disability rating for your condition. Even if you’re confident in your medical nexus letter, it is essential that you do not skip your C&P exam. This can negatively impact your claim.