Can a VA Doctor Write a Nexus Letter?
When you’re filing a VA disability claim, the process can be hard to understand. One aspect that may be confusing is the source of medical information and other evidence the VA considers in determining whether you are eligible for benefits and how your disability is rated. You’ll be asked to submit medical documentation, and some information may be pulled from your military records. In addition, you may be asked to see a VA doctor for a C&P exam, also known as a claim exam.
If you’ve been asked to see a VA doctor, you may expect that doctor will provide broader information than they really do. In fact, the focus of a C&P exam is often very specific. And, the purpose is solely to confirm or gather more information about the nature and extent of your medical condition. The VA doctor will not write a nexus letter for you?
What is a Nexus Letter?
When you apply for VA disability benefits, you must show that your medical condition is service-connected. For some veterans with certain types of disabilities, a service connection is presumed. If you have a presumptive service connection, you won’t need a nexus letter. But, if you’re among the majority of VA disability benefits applicants who must persuade the VA that their medical condition arose during or because of their military service, a nexus letter is often required.
The nexus letter is a letter from a qualified medical professional that explains to the VA why it is more likely than not that your disability is service connected. For example, the letter writer might explain to the VA that a certain type of materials you worked with during your military service have been shown through multiple studies to substantially increase the risk of your condition.
What Makes a Strong Nexus Letter?
A nexus letter is most likely to be effective if it:
- Clearly states the credentials and experience of the doctor writing the letter
- States that the medical professional has reviewed the relevant medical records and any relevant military records
- Clearly explains the possible connection between military service and the condition
- Clearly states the likelihood that the condition was caused or aggravated by an in-service event or exposure
- Provides authority for those conclusions
The letter shouldn’t summarily state these things, but lay out the physician’s analysis to show how they arrived at their conclusion about the likelihood of the condition being service connected.
Who Can Write a Nexus Letter?
Technically, any doctor can write a nexus letter. But, you’ll want to select the person who writes your letter carefully. You’ll want to work with someone who understands what is required to draft an effective nexus letter, and who will take the time to carefully review your records. You’ll also want a writer who has the relevant knowledge to speak authoritatively about your condition.
Often, a letter from someone with specialized credentials will carry more weight with the VA than one from a general physician. For example, if you are seeking a nexus letter for cancer, it’s generally best to have the letter come from an oncologist. If the physician has even more specialized experience, such as with cancer of the particular organ that is affected, all the better. Similarly, if the condition is a mental health disorder, the nexus letter will ideally be written by a psychiatrist. If the psychiatrist has a background as a military or VA doctor who has specific knowledge of PTSD among veterans who served under particular circumstances, all the better.
Additional Evidence to Pair With Your Nexus Letter
The nexus letter is a critical piece of evidence in support of your VA disability claim. Unless your condition is presumed service connected, you must provide evidence that the condition either started during your military service or was caused by or aggravated by something that happened during your military service. However, the nexus letter is just one piece of the puzzle. You will likely also need to provide medical records, test results, and military service records.
Your claim may also be supported by a “buddy letter.” One or more buddy letters may be helpful in different ways. For example:
- A buddy letter from a fellow service member who was present when the incident that caused your disability happened, or who witnessed your medical deterioration during your military service, can help establish the service connection
- A buddy letter from someone in your day-to-day life can give the VA more insight on your symptoms and limitations, including when they started and how they have progressed over time
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What To Do if Your VA Disability Claim is Denied
Ideally, you’ll have help from an experienced VA disability benefits advocate from the beginning. The advocates at Disabled Vets have a solid understanding of the VA disability claims process and can help ensure that you take full advantage of every opportunity to support and strengthen your claim, from submitting the right medical documentation to determining the best people to write buddy letters for you to finding a qualified expert to write a strong nexus letter for you.
If your claim has already been denied, it’s not too late. Your advocate can help you understand why your claim was denied and determine which path to appeal or reconsideration best suits your circumstances. There are pros and cons to each type of appeal or review, and it’s important to choose the best one for you. For example, higher level review doesn’t allow the veteran to submit new evidence before reconsideration. So, if the problem with your original claim was that you didn’t submit a nexus letter and so didn’t prove that your condition was service connected, you wouldn’t want to use that path. You would need a process that allowed you to submit additional information and documentation.
We can also help you assemble the evidence you need for the most effective appeal possible. To learn more, call us today at 888-373-4722. Or, if you prefer, you can fill out our contact form and we’ll reach out to you.
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