Why VA Physicians Often Cannot Provide Nexus Letters

Nexus letters are one of the most important parts of a winning VA disability claim. These documents help prove the most challenging aspect of a disability case—the connection between your condition and an event during your military service. Generally, these letters are written by physicians with a background in treating your disability.

If you are used to seeing VA-contracted physicians for primary care, asking them to write a nexus letter on your behalf seems like an obvious solution. Unfortunately, these doctors will generally not agree to provide you with this service. The good news is that Elite Medical Review Associates can help you navigate this process.

What is a Nexus Letter?

A nexus letter is a vital tool for securing disability benefits through the VA and is written by a doctor or other medical professional. It includes a review of your medical records and relies on published research to argue that your disability is related to your military service. These letters are usually written by physicians, although they can be authored by other medical professionals as well.

VA-Contracted Doctors Will Generally Not Write a Letter For You

For the most part, physicians employed by or contracting with the VA will not write a nexus letter in support of your disability claim. This is true even if they have previously treated you for this condition in the past.

Doctors who work for the VA are not prohibited from helping you, but the VA discourages them from offering an opinion on how your condition might be related to a service-connected event.

While these doctors may not write a letter on your behalf, they are obligated to provide you with medical care and other types of support. The VA will usually require you to submit a C&P examination, which includes a determination of whether or not your condition is related to military service. These doctors might also be able to assist with completing disability benefit questionnaires.

Why Your Physician Might Not Be Able to Help

There is nothing preventing your personal physician from writing a VA nexus letter on your behalf. The only requirement under VA rules is that a doctor must be licensed to practice medicine in the United States to author a letter. In fact, other medical professionals like nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also write these letters and submit them to the VA.

Your doctor is allowed to write a nexus letter by law, but that does not mean they are willing or able to do so. VA rules are complicated, and many physicians prefer to focus on treating patients instead of learning the process of drafting letters that will be useful in disability cases.

Additionally, your physician might work for a larger medical group or hospital that limits the type of work they can perform. Even if your doctor is willing to help, their employer may not allow them to do so.

It is also important to remember that you may be best served by working with a medical professional who is experienced with the VA process. An understanding of how this system works could provide you with a letter that meets your needs.

How Important is a Nexus Letter?

Given how difficult it can be to find a doctor that will write a letter on your behalf, it is natural to wonder if the effort is worth it. The truth is that while some veterans are able to secure benefits without a letter, most cases suffer from this lack of evidence.

Most of the time, the nexus connection is the most difficult part of a disability claim to prove. There is usually no dispute over whether you served in the military, and most veterans are able to obtain a current diagnosis for their disability. It is the connection between the two that the VA typically challenges.

There are a handful of situations where the VA will presume a nexus connection based on your disability and the time and location of your military service. Outside of these situations, your best bet is to seek out a nexus letter and give yourself the best chance at success.

Finding a Doctor to Write Your Letter

It can be difficult to find a medical professional available, at least without help. The reality is that many physicians are unwilling or unable to take on this task. For people living in smaller or underserved communities, there might not be any local physicians available to draft a letter.

While there are paid services that offer help, many of them make promises that are impossible to keep. As a veteran, you deserve support from experts who understand the process and care about the outcome of your case.

At Elite Medical Review Associates, we leverage our contacts with doctors and other healthcare professionals to connect you with the perfect medical professional for a nexus letter related to your condition. Our fee structure is straightforward, as we charge flat fees based on the type of medical professional you need. We are confident that the doctors, nursecreateauthor a letter that will strengthen your case for compensation.

It is never in your best interest to partner with for-profit companies that are after a percentage of your recovery as their fee. Often, this arrangement will lead to a nexus letter that costs ten times what they should cost.

Get Help Now – Let Elite Medical Review Associates Help You Get a Nexus Letter

It makes sense that your VA-contracted doctor is the best person to write a nexus letter on your behalf, but the chances are good they will not agree to do so. The good news is that Elite Medical Review Associates can connect you with the right professional to draft your nexus letter. Contact us today to learn more.