Did you know that a nexus letter is one of the most crucial parts of claiming VA benefits? It is necessary to find the right doctor who can write a VA disability letter.
Otherwise, if you do not get this process right, it may cost you a lot of money, thanks to years of appeals. You may also ruin your chances of ever securing veterans’ benefits if you make a mistake in your claim.
Getting a nexus letter is not an easy task. Veterans need to find the right doctor. This person must be a professional who knows all the ins and outs of writing a nexus letter. Here is everything you need to get a solid nexus letter for your VA disability claim.
What Is a VA Disability Letter?
The word nexus itself in the VA appeals context means causation. If you are applying for VA benefits, you must present a medical opinion. This medical opinion should state that your disability is caused by your time in the service.
This is the medical opinion that must be written in a nexus letter. The VA has a responsibility and duty to assist. Therefore, it needs to assist veterans in getting a medical opinion.
This can support your claim. When you finally submit the claim, the VA will ask if you have a compensation and pension exam (C&P). As part of this exam, a VA nurse or medical doctor will conduct a simple physical exam.
This will include reviewing your medical records to verify your disability and association with your service. However, a complete exam is rarely conducted.
You may be asked to type and answer questions on a computer to simplify things. If the exam does not provide enough information for the doctor, they may ask for further x-rays and lab tests.
What Happens Next?
After your C&P exam, your doctor will write up the examination report. This will be sent over to the VA claims adjudicator. They are responsible for processing your claim.
However, veterans can only see information from the C&P report after it goes into the claim file. Even though veterans cannot gain this insight, they should return to the VA after their C&P exam.
Then you can demand a copy of your C&P exam. Most VA disability benefits law firms routinely ask clients to get their hands on a C&P exam report to send.
This way, your lawyer can review and respond to it to ensure it is not favorable. Then a rebuttal nexus letter can be obtained to refute any negative medical opinion made by the VA C&P examiner.
How Do Doctors Write Nexus Letters?
Think of your C&P report as a type of nexus letter. The reason is that the nexus letter provides much information on causation. But you must remember that the VA hires their doctor to provide evidence for your claim.
It is no secret that the VA does not want to generously grant veterans’ claims for benefits. Your C&P doctors work for the VA. They have specific objectives, so your C&P exam doctors are gatekeepers in your disability claim process.
As a veteran, you should never rely on VA doctors to write nexus letters that support your claim. A VA disability doctor might go out of their way to show no evidence to support service connection.
So, it would help if you were proactive towards winning your claim. This means going out and finding your own private doctor to write an unbiased and objective nexus letter.
This involves getting more than just a letter. You need a medical witness to write the most extensive opinion to explain how your disability is caused or related to your service.
How to Find a Doctor?
Doctors who write nexus letters do not go advertise themselves heavily. This is why they are tricky to find. One of the best ways to get your medical nexus is by hiring a veterans’ disability attorney.
These professionals have a lot of connections with medical practitioners, especially the ones who can also work as expert witnesses. The issue is that a veteran with a disability is most likely not earning or working a whole lot.
This means that people do not want to spend a lot of money to get their hands on a nexus letter. The good news is that veterans can find medical experts to write persuasive and professional letters without paying a lot of money upfront.
As long as you hire the right veterans’ disability law firm, there are always flexible options. Some firms may also put up the money for the medical expert and your legal fees.
Then they will request that all these costs be paid back after you win your disability claim. It is essential to note that not every law firm is the same regarding medical experts.
Get in touch with your law firm and ask about how to deal with paying for the medical report. Obtaining a detailed and professional nexus letter written by a highly qualified medical expert is the best way to win your case.
This is because it maximizes the outcome of your VA claims process. It is also one of the most important aspects of filing a successful claim.
So, you should contact the most reputable law firm in your area to discuss this matter. Then they can help you find medical experts and provide hard-hitting representation to handle complex cases.
Things a Nexus Letter Should Include
If you are getting private doctors to write nexus letters, they must indicate that they affirm a current disability. They should also review the veterans’ VA claim file and any relevant evidence for service connection.
This needs to include personnel and medical documents from before and after service. Your doctor should also be qualified to evaluate the disability and be licensed in the appropriate medical field.
They must reach a conclusion to a degree of at least as likely. Finally, they must address any negative factors that go against the claim and provide a detailed rationale for their conclusion.
Get Your Nexus Letter Today
Now that you know how to find a doctor for your VA disability letter, it is time to get in touch with the right law firm to stand up for your rights.
Remember that nexus letters are critical. You will struggle to win a disability case without them. Contact us today, and we can give guidance and resources to help you find the best doctor for your letter.