A medical nexus in the context of VA disability claims refers to the medical link or connection between a veteran's current medical condition and their military service. Essentially, it's a medical professional's opinion stating that a veteran's disability was caused or aggravated by their time in the military. This link is crucial for establishing service connection and receiving disability benefits from the VA. It's often provided in the form of a nexus letter.

To approve a claim, the VA typically requires three things:

1. A current diagnosed disability

2. Evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness

3. A medical nexus linking the two

Without a nexus, the VA will often deny a claim, even if the veteran has both a diagnosis and proof of in-service exposure.

• A nexus opinion can come from:

  • A VA or private doctor

  • A specialist familiar with the veteran’s condition

• It must state, using proper language (e.g., “at least as likely as not”), that the disability is medically related to service

• The letter should be based on a review of the veteran's medical records, including service treatment records, and should provide a clear and credible medical rationale

• Nexus letters are especially helpful when a condition is not on the VA's presumptive list

• The physician's credentials and qualifications

• A review of the veteran's relevant medical records

• A clear statement linking the current disability to military service, using specific language like "at least as likely as not"

• An evidence-based medical rationale, potentially including references to relevant medical research

• The letter should be on letterhead, signed by the physician, and dated

• When there's no clear documentation of a service-related injury or illness in the veteran's service records.

• When there's a gap between the veteran's time in service and the onset of symptoms.

• When a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam does not find a link between the disability and service.

• In cases of secondary claims (where one service-connected disability causes another) or when a previous claim was denied for lack of service connection.

Note: These are just a few examples, and every veteran’s situation is unique

At Greene & Marusak, we help veterans obtain detailed, well-supported medical nexus letters that clearly explain how their condition is connected to service. This can make the difference between a denied claim and an approved one.

Give us a call at (844) 483-8737