When veterans submit a disability claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) it is important to have key pieces of evidence that can help prove your service connection. Key documents that veterans may need include — in-service medical records, post-service medical records, your DD 214 form, separation documents, lay documents that include written statements from friends, family, and other service members, and nexus letters. Nexus letters can be a key piece of evidence for your claim and many veterans want to know more about the role of nexus letters in VA disability claims — and QRF Legal Services in Lakeland, FL is here to help.
What Are Nexus Letters for VA Disability Claims?
A nexus letter is a letter or document written by a healthcare professional — doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant — that provides a qualified and educated medical opinion about a veteran’s injury, illness, or medical condition and its link to military service. This document establishes the how of the veteran’s service-connected disability and is used as evidence for disability claims to establish the link or connection between the veteran’s disability and their years of military service.
What Does a Nexus Letter Need to Have?
Veterans that request a nexus letter from their healthcare provider need to understand that each document needs to meet specific criteria and contain certain elements to best serve its purpose. Here is a look at what each nexus letter needs to have:
- Healthcare Provider’s Qualifications – A nexus letter needs to clearly state the healthcare provider’s qualifications.
- Review of Veteran Medical Records – The nexus letter needs to include an overview of the veteran’s medical and treatment records for in-service and post-service treatment.
- Qualified Medical Opinion – The key element of the nexus letter is the healthcare provider’s own medical opinion, which needs to be clearly stated and answer the question about how likely it is that the medical condition is connected to military service.
- Medical Reason for Opinion – A nexus letter needs to provide supporting medical evidence from healthcare providers about why they believe the medical condition is connected to military service and may include medical research or medical literature.
- Other Potential Causes – In addition to establishing a primary connection to military service, the nexus letter should include information about any other potential causes of the disability that they believe to be related to military service.
- Clear and Concise – A nexus letter needs to be clear and concise, so VA employees can clearly see and understand the connection without having to have medical training.
Why Are Nexus Letters Important for VA Disability Claims?
Evidence and documentation are critical when veterans file a VA disability claim or appeal a denied VA disability claim. Nexus letters are a key piece of evidence for disability claims that provide a more in-depth medical opinion that will help establish that connection between a disability and military service. A nexus letter is important for multiple reasons:
- Provides Additional Evidence – Veterans who file disability claims cannot have too much evidence to submit with their claim and a nexus letter is added documentation of the service connection.
- Creates a Stronger Claim – There is no such thing as too much evidence and a direct letter from a healthcare provider is a strong piece of evidence that helps you build a stronger connection and stronger claim.
- Helps Establish a Secondary Service Connection – Nexus letters are exceedingly valuable in establishing secondary service connected conditions — which is when a disability is caused or made worse by an already service-connected medical condition.
- Helps Appeal Denied Claims – When a disability claim has been denied, veterans may need to submit stronger evidence and a nexus letter from your healthcare provider is a strong piece of evidence that can help overcome a denied claim.
READ MORE: Common Mistakes in the VA Disability Process and How to Avoid Them
Veterans that hope to create a rock-solid VA disability claim need to understand the role of nexus letters in VA disability claims and we hope that this overview has answered your questions. Contact QRF Legal Services for more information on veteran benefits and nexus letters!
