This means the lay person cannot "render medical opinions, including etiology opionions," but can provide testimony that is an eyewitness account of medical symptoms. “In a veteran's claim for benefits, lay evidence can be competent and sufficient to establish a diagnosis of a condition when (1) a layperson is competent to identify the medical condition,, (2) the layperson is reporting a contemporaneous medical diagnosis, or (3) lay testimony describing symptoms at the time supports a later diagnosis by a medical professional.” One misunderstanding of many is that lay evidence counts very little because it is not “objective.” (lay evidence is a statement from the veteran or buddy letter that supports a claim). Take copies of your files with you in a folder to your VSO meeting. This can be tricky for new conditions secondary to service-connected conditions. One thing your evidence should have is a Nexus letter (hopefully from a doctor or your in your SMRs) explaining how the evidence in your file is relevant to the condition you have now. Here is a copy of an actual claim letter for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and sleep apnea. Include a table of contents of your injuries. Always try to keep things as short as possible. Your documentation will be in addition to this (doctors’ opinions – civilian, VA, military). Try to keep the summary sheet as short as possible – One to five pages, depending on the number of issues. Avoid dropping your whole file on the person’s lap with the expectation that they will sort through it for you. I generally bring all documentation relevant to the specific injury or injuries with me along with a summary sheet.
#NEXUS LETTER FREE#
Start a live chat to schedule for your free consultation to learn more about your rights to benefits.Before the meeting, be sure to have all your ducks in a row. If you are a Veteran applying for VA disability benefits, the experienced VA disability attorneys at The Injury & Disability Law Center can help you file your application and work with your doctor so that he understands what information should be included in your nexus letter.
It is sufficient if “it is at least as likely as not.”Īsk a VA Disability Lawyer If You Have Questions The physician does not need to draw an absolute conclusion as to the nexus between your disability and your military service.The VA may find the physician’s conclusions more persuasive if this is true. The letter should mention that the doctor has recently examined you.If he fails to do so, the VA may disregard his letter. The doctor should mention in the letter that he has reviewed your entire VA file and medical records.It should focus on the facts and the doctor’s conclusions. The letter should be brief, but thorough.Here are some tips on how he can ensure that the nexus letter strongly supports your claim: The physician must use specific language, certain phrases, and the correct medical standard when writing the letter. You should select a doctor that is board-certified in the area of health that is at issue in your case. It is best to choose a doctor that is currently treating you to write a nexus letter on your behalf. In this situation, the application will be denied unless a nexus letter is submitted. A nexus letter can be submitted with an initial application, while the VA is evaluating whether the Veteran is eligible for benefits, or after an adverse C&P exam.Ī nexus letter is especially crucial if no medical records were provided in support of the application and the C&P examiner does not find a link between the Veteran’s illness or disability and his military service. While a nexus letter is not required when applying for VA disability benefits, it can make the difference between an application being approved or denied.
#NEXUS LETTER PROFESSIONAL#
What Is a Nexus Letter?Ī nexus letter is a document prepared by a physician or other medical professional that explains how a Veteran’s medical illness or condition is directly related to his military service. One of the best ways to establish this is to submit a strong nexus letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). One of the most difficult elements to prove is the nexus, or link, between your illness or disability and the in-service event that caused it. When you file an application for VA disability benefits, you must establish that you qualify for these benefits.
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