There are many skin conditions linked to military service that result in chronic pain, scarring, or disfigurement. In addition to conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema, the risk of skin cancer is always present. Some of the skin conditions linked to service-related events can have severe, long-term consequences. When these conditions stem from your service, you deserve to recover disability benefits from the VA.
In order for you to qualify for disability benefits through the VA for your skin condition, you are likely going to need a convincing nexus letter from a trusted expert. Preparing these letters on your own is a risk that is not worth taking. At Elite Medical Review Associates, we are ready to help you get the nexus letter you need to get the outcome you deserve.
Types of skin disabilities commonly associated with military service include:
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
- Dermatophytosis
- Bullous disorders
- Skin infections
- Discoid lupus erythematosus
- Urticaria
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Autoimmune disorders of the skin
- Skin cancer
- Pseudofolliculitis barbae
Securing VA disability benefits can be challenging for these conditions, especially because they often occur as a secondary symptom of a different service-related health issue. A nexus letter could provide you with the evidence you need to convince the decision-makers at the VA to accept your claim for benefits.
Disability Benefits for Scarring, Disfigurement, and Burns
In addition to the ailments described above, veterans may also qualify for benefits linked to burns, scarring, and disfigurement. While these conditions are not illnesses, they can have significant physical and emotional consequences. In addition to the physical impact, the emotional effects of severe scarring could result in a viable disability claim. A nexus letter could be what is needed to secure benefits for all of your skin-related conditions.
Our team of medical professionals creates VA nexus letters to establish a service connection for all manner of skin-related disabilities. We could also prepare letters for secondary service connections for health issues related to skin disabilities, including mental health conditions like depression.
Certain skin conditions are presumed to be service-connected under specific situations. When these circumstances are met, the VA presumes that the skin disability in question was related to your service. For example, there is a presumption that chronic dermatitis that is rated at 10 percent or higher by the VA is service-related for most Gulf War veterans. Our professionals can help you understand if a presumption might work in your favor, and we can prepare a nexus letter when it is in your best interest to do so.
How Are Skin Disabilities Rated?
The way that the VA rates a skin disability is often based on the amount of the surface area of the skin that is affected by a condition. From rashes to scars, these conditions can be measured in terms of inches or as a percentage of your skin.
Of course, there are exceptions to this general rule. When it comes to scarring or disfigurement, the VA is likely to offer a higher rating when the affected area of the skin is on the neck or face. The decision-makers also take into account the amount of treatment a disability requires. The rating will generally be higher in cases where treatments like retinoids or phototherapy are required constantly compared to conditions that were treatable in the short term with topical creams.
Finding a Doctor for a Skin Disability Nexus Letter
Even if you have no doubt that your skin condition is directly linked to your service, a nexus letter could improve your chances for a successful claim. Unfortunately, finding a medical professional who is able and willing to write a letter on your behalf could be more difficult than you realize.
While any physician licensed in the United States is qualified to write a nexus letter to the VA, not every doctor will agree to do so. Some are unfamiliar with the process, while others might prefer to focus on their other patients instead of assisting with the disability claims process.
Thankfully, you do not have to evaluate these resources on your own. Elite Medical Review Associates offers the medical experts needed to obtain a letter for your case. Often, this involves general practitioners. However, if your case is especially complex, it may be important to have the support of a dermatologist or other specialist.
It is worth noting that the medical professional that writes your letter does not have to be a doctor at all. A physician assistant does not have a medical degree, but they must go through extensive training to see patients of their own. That is also the case with nurses holding advanced degrees. We can pair you with these professionals when they are the best option available to you.
Get Help With Your Nexus Letter – Contact Elite Medical Review Associates Today
Whether you are filing your claim for the first time or dealing with a denial from the VA, a nexus letter could help you get the outcome you deserve. These letters can establish the connection between your condition and your service, clearing a path for the VA to provide you with disability benefits.
Regardless of the type of skin disability you have been diagnosed with, the team at Elite Medical Review Associates will carefully review any potential links to your military service. We are prepared to draft and submit a strong nexus letter in support of your VA benefits claim. Contact us right away to learn more.