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Q681: What is the Nexus letter I keep reading about and what is it for?
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A1: Nexus letter is a letter written by a Veteran's primary care physician and turned into the VA. Most of the time this is not necessary as long as the diagnosis are in the medical records. (GR) 3/6/21
A2: A letter of an evidence -based document prepared by a credible medical professional that helps establish a "connection" between the Veterans current disability and active duty military service. (DE) 3/7/21
A3: To be service connected for a disability, you normally have to meet the "rule of three" requirement. The first is an in-service occurrence (something documented in your service medical records). Second is a current diagnosis. The third is a link (relationship), or nexus, between your in-service occurrence and your current diagnosis. VA will provide a C&P exam (when warranted) and often times asks a medical provider to provide a nexus, or link, between the veteran's current diagnosis and the in-service occurrence. When the the veteran is denied service connection because the VA found no relationship between his/her claimed disability and their military service, then the veteran can provide a nexus letter. A qualified medical provider can provide the veteran a nexus letter to submit to the VA. I have seen many nexus letters that fall short in meeting the VA's standards for a nexus letter. Sometimes the letter says that the "veteran relates to me he had something happen to him in the military and I feel that what I am treating him for now is related to that". A good nexus letter must provide rationale before the VA will accept it. Without the rationale, the VA considers the letter speculation. The medical provider also needs to review the veteran's service medical records and state that they review them in the letter. This eliminates the "speculation". (DS) 3/8/21