If you’re in the process of filing a Veterans Administration (VA) disability claim, you’re probably familiar with the term “Nexus Letter.” This document can be a critical factor in getting your claim approved, but it can also be a source of frustration and confusion.
This article will give you the tools to write an effective letter by explaining what a nexus letter is, why it’s essential, and how following a few simple guidelines can help you create a winning document. We’ll also offer guidance on how to steer clear of common errors when composing your letter.
Overcoming Military Culture to Address Chronic Pain
It’s widely acknowledged that the military instills a culture that discourages soldiers from complaining about physical discomforts. The emphasis is on ensuring that soldiers are always mission-ready and that superiors and peers see any indication of weakness as unacceptable. The Klingonian mindset of the military is reflected in the common phrase, “Pain is weakness leaving your body.”
However, now that you’ve transitioned into civilian life, it’s likely that your job doesn’t entail as much physical labor as your military service. Nevertheless, you’ve been grappling with chronic low back pain since your discharge, which hasn’t required much attention until recently.
Over the past year, you’ve had to seek more extensive medical care and finally undergone an MRI scan, which revealed numerous issues with your discs and nerves, leading you to conclude that your old service injury still affects you.
Therefore, you filed for service-connected disability compensation, underwent a C&P exam, and received a denial letter a year later, with the VA informing you that despite raising concerns during your service, your current condition is unrelated.
So, what now?
The crucial factor in overturning or avoiding a denial is crafting an effective nexus letter that bolsters your claim. The strategy you need to deploy is to find an expert physician who’ll review your medical records and provide an official and well-documented letter stating that, in their opinion, your current injury or condition is related to your military service.
Your document should adhere to the same format as all other letters sent to the VA. It can be addressed to you directly or drafted with a “To Whom It May Concern” approach. The physician can further bolster your case if he or she is willing to provide a current curriculum vitae to support their expertise.
What is a Nexus Letter?
According to Merriam-Webster, a Nexus is “a connection or series of connections linking two or more things or events.” Your job is to demonstrate through compelling evidence that your injury is connected to your military service, i.e., has a nexus.
A nexus letter provides a medical perspective on the veteran’s condition and how it connects to their service, which can help them claim the veteran benefits they rightfully deserve. Additionally, it’s a critical component in the VA disability rating process and is a determining factor in deciding the degree of disability you’ve sustained and approving your level of benefits.
However, not all nexus letters are created equal. To be effective, your submission must provide specific information about your medical condition, such as PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, or symptoms related to Agent Orange. The VA reviews these letters to determine whether a service connection exists, which is critical for determining eligibility for disability benefits.
Unlike a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, which can be a daunting and impersonal experience, you’re not required to see a VA doctor to obtain written medical proof. You can seek an independent medical opinion from a professional with expertise in treating patients with your condition and medical history.
The Importance of a Strong Nexus Letter
A nexus letter isn’t just a formality; it’s a crucial document that can make or break your VA disability claim. The potential consequences of providing a weak or nonexistent letter are sobering and cannot be overstated. The majority of denied veterans’ claims stem from either a missing piece of crucial information or documentation that’s poorly written.
Not having a strong case showing a nexus could easily result in your claim being denied, saddling you with the financial burden of mounting medical bills and no service-connected benefits to offset the expense. Filing an appeal is an option in the event of a denied claim, but this process can be lengthy and uncertain, with no guarantee of receiving the benefits you deserve. These are reasons why you should steer clear of free nexus letters and be prepared to pay a competent professional to write yours.
Writing an Effective Nexus Letter
The document you present to the VA should be clear and concise, provide a medical perspective on your condition, and establish the probability of a service connection. To convey this probability, medical professionals commonly use phrases such as “not likely,” “at least as likely as not,” “more than likely,” and “highly likely.”
However, to establish a potential service connection for compensation, a VA nexus letter should, at the very least, use the phrase “at least as likely as not.” This statement should be backed up by a detailed explanation of why the doctor believes your condition relates to your military service. The explanation should draw upon a thorough review of your medical history, military service records, physical examination, x-rays, and any other relevant information that supports your claim.
To win disability benefits, you must meet three criteria:
- Prove that you served in the military by providing a form DD-214.
- Demonstrate that you suffer from a ratable condition or disability by offering up a recent medical diagnosis.
- Provide evidence that the diagnosed medical condition originated during your military service or, if it was a preexisting condition, that your military service exacerbated it.
Meeting the criteria may be difficult for the average person, but with the help of a competent professional, you stand better than even odds of doing so, as long as your claim is legitimate and directly related to your military service.
The Nexus Letter: A Step-by-Step Guide
Demonstrating a nexus to your condition can be challenging, not to mention knowing how to get a nexus letter. If your physician has little practice writing one, these guidelines offer a comprehensive blueprint that provides a step-by-step approach to helping him or her create an effective document.
Step 1: Introduction
The introduction should be brief but effective, outlining the letter’s purpose and establishing the physician as a medical professional.
Step 2: Establishing Credibility
In this step, your physician must establish credibility as a competent medical professional. Acceptable evidence may include their qualifications, experience, and medical expertise related to your condition.
In addition to offering a medical opinion on your condition, a physician can include an overview of their credentials in the nexus letter. It’s common for medical experts to attach copies of their qualifications, such as their medical license or degree, to the letter for the VA to review.
Step 3: Examining the Service Connection
The service connection links your current condition with your military service. In this step, your physician must carefully examine and document the relationship to establish a clear link between the two.
Step 4: Connecting the Condition to Military Service
In this step, your physician must clearly and concisely explain how your current condition relates to your military service. This may involve reviewing medical records, interviewing you to uncover relevant information, and researching the medical implications of your military service.
Step 5: Providing Supporting Evidence
A solid case should include ample evidence to support your claim, including medical records, test results, x-rays, brain scans, and other documentation supporting your diagnosis and establishing the link between your condition and military service.
Step 6: Conclusion and Recommendation
The conclusion should summarize the main points in your letter and include a specific recommendation for how the VA should proceed with your claim. The submission may also include any additional information the VA needs to decide.
Let’s look at a VA Nexus letter example to show how a solid one is composed. This condition is a common issue among veterans, and presenting your case similar to the example letter can be critical to getting your claim approved.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Writing a Nexus Letter
There are many pitfalls that must be avoided when deciding what to include and what to exclude when developing your letter. Taking heed of the following precautions can improve the likelihood that your claim will be approved and get you the benefits you deserve:
- Don’t include irrelevant information. Stick to the facts and avoid including information that isn’t directly relevant to your condition.
- Refrain from relying on hearsay. Base your conclusions on objective, observable evidence, and avoid relying on gossip or speculation.
- Provide complete and accurate information. Review all relevant medical records and accurately convey that information in your letter.
Writing a strong and effective nexus letter is critical to winning your VA disability claim. If you’re unsure about how to write a nexus letter or have difficulty getting one from your doctor, don’t hesitate to contact a VA accredited lawyer or law group like VetsForever or a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) specializing in VA disability claims to guide you through the claims process.
FAQ:
What is a Nexus Letter?
A Nexus letter is a statement from a qualified medical professional that links a veteran’s current medical condition to their military service.
How do I get a Nexus letter?
Getting a Nexus letter requires scheduling an appointment with a qualified medical professional who is knowledgeable about the VA disability process and undergoing an evaluation of your medical history, physical examination, and a review of your medical records.
Why is a Nexus letter so important?
A Nexus letter is critical to a VA disability claim because it provides the direct link between your current medical condition and your military service. Without a Nexus letter, it can be challenging to establish that connection.
How much does a VA Nexus letter cost?
While there is no set standard for the cost of a Nexus letter, it’s important to note that as of 2021, the average cost for a Nexus letter ranged from $500 to $1,500 per condition. If you’re concerned about the cost of a Nexus letter, there are Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) offering Nexus letters free of charge, while others charge reasonable fees. Additionally, buddy letters or statement support of claims are also free of charge and just as effective.
What should my Nexus letter say?
There are four essential elements of a solid nexus letter:
- Physician qualifications.
- Examination of medical records relevant to the case.
- Assessment of the likelihood of a service connection.
- Explanation behind the medical opinion provided.
A qualified medical professional should prepare the Nexus letter, and it should explain how your condition was caused or aggravated by your military service and provide supporting evidence to back up the claim.
Can the VA deny a Nexus letter?
Crafting a Nexus letter is a specialized skill, and any errors can result in denial or not contributing to your claim.