Justin has committed to helping other veterans navigate the system and get the most out of their hard-earned veteran status. Letters for Lyme, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Mental Health, Cognitive Problems, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and related conditions. Let the doctor write the letter using the medical information he/she has to show what your claiming. 10 Veterans Benefits You May Not Know About, Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), Security Clearance Jobs After the Military, Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA), Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for the GI Bill, Veterans ID on Driver’s License or ID Card by State. Therefore, to get the most out of your NEXUS letter, you’re going to need to cover a lot of ground yourself to get it done right. Use all of this information to your advantage when you file your claim, and to prepare your NEXUS letter. The nexus between your primary condition and your secondary condition must be clearly established in order to be granted secondary service connection. Often, the kind of knee pain you have is a clue to what’s wrong. The letter should be brief but have all information necessary on the facts of the case and the conclusions from the doctor. This uneven shift in weight may then contribute to complications and pain in their back. Sorry, just venting..I have a feeling I am overthinking this whole thing and need to just relax! For example, have a primary care podiatrist write the letter for injuries with your knees/feet, etc. A nexus letter may also reference past BVA court cases to show precedence that the VA has already awarded previous claims tying to the two conditions. Things such as follows: My symptoms are sharp pains when I bend my knee (on a 1 to 10 it’s a 7). A medical nexus letter from a medical provider can establish strong ties between the condition and military service. After an Honorable Discharge, he struggled to get access to military benefits for service-related injuries. The nexus letter should follow a similar format to all letters that you use to communicate to VA. We will work with you on the cost of the Nexus Letter; we will place everything in writing so that you know … As we said earlier, their job is to NOT believe you. ... Common examples include back and knee injuries, cancer, mental impairments, etc. Doctors that write nexus letters can be hard to find. A NEXUS letter is a key element in filing a claim to access benefits for service-related disabilities. Did the original examiner opine that the degree of disability of the service connected knee was not severe enough to aggravate or cause a condition of the NSC knee? Language commonly seen in nexus statements for secondary claims would follow a phrase like; “It is more likely than not that Condition A has caused Condition B. My doctor says I have arthritis and when it is cold my knee aches. Nexus letters can be essential to a veteran's VA benefits claim. A NEXUS letter from your physician stating that the secondary condition was “more likely than not” caused by your original condition will also be very helpful to your case. However, if your primary physician has more proof compared to the VA’s assessing doctor, you can boost your chances of success by using their medical mentions. Disclaimer: This is a private website that is NOT affiliated with the U.S. government, U.S. Armed Forces or Department of Veteran Affairs. Just a tip: The evaluator’s job is NOT to just look at your condition and say “Okay, it’s a legitimate service-connected disability.” Their job is to determine whether or not the injuries are service related, and try to prove that they aren’t more than anything. He would complain of pain at least 3 or more times during the week and has had problems with his knee on up to current date. List the symptoms, not the diagnosis (back pain with numbness down the legs, for example). That pressure, plus regular wear and tear, takes a toll over time. Nexus letters can be essential to a veteran's VA benefits claim. So for a knee you would list what you experience. I have been a student since and when my symptoms are bad my grades show it. A medical nexus letter from a medical provider can establish strong ties between the condition and military service. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. One study of women ages 50 and older, published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, found that nearly two-thirds had some type of knee pain during the 12-year study period.. Dr. Rebecca Breslow, a sports medicine doctor and an instructor in orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical … You can have a doctor who specializes in your area of injury perform the NEXUS letter. Ten years later, the veteran is diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in the left knee. Here’s an advanced method you don’t have to use. A new disability that appears secondary to a service-connected injury or … It is critical that the right doctor who knows how to address all aspects of your claim and knows what the VA requires is in your Nexus Letter. A nexus letter is written by a doctor, specialist, or expert and provides insight into your injury to confirm its connection to an event or injury that occurred during your military service. We haven’t met anyone who’s gone through the VA system and praised their VA assessor. A NEXUS letter is simply a letter from a qualified specialist that medically establishes a link between two conditions. There are different kinds of knee pain. This isn’t required but will have a greater impact on adding success to your claim. The same VA hospital did ALL 9 surgeries! Go get ‘em! Topical NSAIDs should be considered before oral NSAIDs for treatment of knee or hand osteoarthritis pain. It is also indicated for the relief of pain and symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the knee for up to 90 days. This is something every veteran needs to think about when handling a VA claim – whether it’s an initial claim or an increase claim. How does a veteran prove this complicated, yet crucial element of service connection? I just asked my PC to write me a nexus letter for sleep apnea, here's what he wrote. Because there is plentiful medical studies to show that injuries in a limb can cause wear and tear on the joints in that limb, it … Nexus Letter Part #3: Give a strong medical opinion . So we added 5 additional pain-soothers - all in their strongest, most advanced forms. But only if they know every detail about your condition, claim, and have seen every single bit of your medical records (including the VA records). Do you need 2 letters or do you need to have them put it all in one? Believe it or not, the first time many veterans file a claim, they are denied, and it’s not done to spite you – it’s simply because the VA doesn’t get enough information or an official diagnosis (this truly is the most common reason people get denied). It is critical that the right doctor who knows how to address all aspects of your claim and knows what the VA requires is in your Nexus Letter. In that way, the veteran’s back pain is due to their service-connected knee … Doctors that write nexus letters can be hard to find. This statement would read “ It is more likely than … The medical nexus can make or break a disability claim. They have all of my records and notes! COX-2 selective celecoxib does not interfere with platelet function and is less likely than nonselective NSAIDs to cause GI toxicity. Objective: To evaluate the association between knee pain and lumbar disorders. In practical terms, the nexus letter is a powerful tool for the veteran to use to establish a claim. Whether it's a sharp pain or a dull ache, knee pain is a common problem in women — particularly older women. THE NEXUS LETTER: Nexus Letter and how to make it work for you. I have been on medication since 2012 (after my deployment OEF). So does the articular cartilage protecting the ends of the leg bones where they meet at the knee. Proven Tips #2: Evidence, Nexus Letters and VSO's. One of the main phrases we’ve always heard when it comes to being squared away while in service, or even once we’ve done our time, is that “if you want something done right, then do it yourself.” The government has a lot of room for error, especially when it comes to the military – from documentation, to order requests, wrong information in the system, and of course, TRADOC. Reply Delete. Make sure the medical professional writes one of five statements of likelihood in the VA nexus letter in order to help the veteran prove service connection under the law, preferably, the words “more likely than not.” VA Nexus Letter Part #4: List credentials, such as job title or specialty “I don’t have pain in my knee or leg like I used to,” said Clifford. If the doctor can at least declare in the letter that they believe the injury presumably happened during service, this can help your case. The examiner may then make the medical nexus that it is as likely as not that the veteran has low back pain with degenerative changes secondary to the left leg/ankle condition. Knee pain is a common complaint, especially as you age and your joints experience a lot of wear and tear. The examiner's opinion may need to be addressed if in fact an event of record was referenced to arrive at the negative opinion. This evidence can be critical when the condition developed over time. I injured my right knee in Basic Training in 1986 and had my 1st surgery on the knee in 1991..I had a limp, limited use and pain in the right knee from 1986 until 2016..my gait was off and I walked with a limp that time..so this is what I sent to my doc at the VA for the Nexus letter...Do you think this is suffecient? A separate group worked as controls. Only one letter is allowable for each claim, however over time, you may be able to prove that a condition caused by a service related injury (even one that’s gotten worse and is eligible for a disability increase claim to be filed) has indeed gotten worse simply because of the original disability. Military Disability Made Easy October 7, 2020 at 9:30 AM. I have been a student since and when my symptoms are bad my grades show it. Your VA Application for Disability Compensation: Part 2 of 4 . ... A medical nexus connecting your aggravated knee pain to your military service. Thankfully the examiner did not state that your arthritis was due to aging. Why not just ask the treating orthopedist to document whether your injury compensation mechanism contributed to your left knee disorder. However, without a nexus, a veterans claim with the Veterans Administration (VA) wont survive. The letter outlines evidence for your VA claim and provides a medico-legal statement required by the VA. Valor 4 Vet encourages using a Nexus Letter for all fully developed claims. Sample doctor's letters for Social Security Disability. Many doctors don't know what kind of information Social Security is looking for. Bottom line - more detail explaining why the service-connected right knee disability has caused problems with the left knee is better. Similar to trying to get a home loan when you have no credit – you need to have a tiny bit of credit (good) to get a loan right? GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For example, if knee pain on ROM testing prevents full flexion and an additional ROM loss for pain of 20 degrees is warranted, you must specifically state the additional limitation of flexion due to pain (e.g., “An additional 20 degrees loss of knee flexion is warranted because of pain on movement” or, better and clearer, “Because of pain on movement, the ROM is … ; Knee pain can be localized to a specific area of the knee or be diffuse throughout the knee. There must be significant proof to get a successful VA claim these days (as there has always been). Now, if … Secondary Service Connection for Knee Pain. Having similalarly worded language is fine, but keep in mind that it's helpful to have the examiner provide a detailed rationale for his/her nexus opinion. Often the VA will recognize that the physician who writes your nexus letter is better trained, better experienced or spent more time examining you than a VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examiner did. Most of the time, the evaluating doctor will complete the NEXUS letter, however, sometimes the veteran must do it. However, most VA doctors will try to prove your claim should not be service connected. Make sure your doctor has all records necessary to build your case. He hasn't been able to sleep well because he wakes up from pain. I personally reveiwed Mr. This checklist will help get a good NEXUS letter (and while only one is generally accepted, you can have your primary care physician send this letter as well). This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Why Do I Need a Nexus Letter? 1 Feb 2011. They have all military records from literally every database and their information can help. This way there’s enough evidence to show that your injury is indeed service related and that your injuries are also on the VA’s Presumptive List. Do note, however, that your primary care physician must be credible. Climbing up and down steps causes pain. The nexus, or link, between a veterans current disability and an in-service event is often the hardest element of service connection to prove. Use the most recent doctor you’ve visited for your injuries. Your knees absorb a huge amount of pressure with every step — typically one-and-a-half times your body weight. A claim for a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) disability compensation award must be based on irrefutable evidence. If you … Many injuries or conditions are difficult to connect directly to your military service. A letter that includes information from the Social … A buddy letter can cover everything in a single letter. Did the original examiner observe a balanced gait, or was it documented that your gait was normal outside of an exam setting? - Currently, his chronic knee pain has flared up significantly and this has contributed to recent worsening of his mood. A NEXUS letter is simply a letter from a qualified specialist that medically establishes a link between two conditions. The reason I have first hand knowledge of the problems on up to current date is because PFC Jones and I live in the same neighborhood and have remained in contact with each other over the years and I've personally seen his knee over the past years … ; Knee pain is often accompanied by physical restriction. Nexus Letters are one of the most important parts of a claim for VA benefits. Anxiety, moderate depression and knee pain. “My biggest mistake was putting it off for so long. The medical nexus can make or break a disability claim. A nexus letter is written by a doctor, specialist, or expert and provides insight into your injury to confirm its connection to an event or injury that occurred during your military service. If you start your claim now, you’ll have a better chance of attaching other … So basically I need to make it less wordy and more to the point...This whole Nexus letter thing is driving me nuts! Plus, we include them in the precise levels shown in studies to deliver the soothing comfort you deserve. States that it has been making him more depressed and irritable. Do I need a NEXUS Letter? Make sure your doctor has all records necessary to build your case. I can only move me knee so far. Injuries can also cause knee pain. If you do have knee pain from your service, you want to start applying for VA disability benefits as soon as possible.The process can take several years, and over the course of time, the secondary effects of a knee injury will probably increase. The NEXUS letter is a way of linking your injury to your VA or medical claim. The names have been changed to protect the innocent... DR Jekyll MD 321 MRI DR Painville, VA xxxxx RE: Joe Soldier 456 FT Living Room Gonefishin VA xxxxx DOB: xx xx xxxx To whom it may concern: Mr. A NEXUS letter from your physician stating that the secondary condition was “more likely than not” caused by your original condition will also be very helpful to your case. This is a sample IMO Letter from Dr. David Anaise. Methods: The case-control study was conducted at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from December 2009 to March 2011, and comprised patients with primary complaint of knee pain. Since knee pain is so stubborn, we wanted to make sure Ultimate Knee Relief worked for the greatest number of people possible. Ask them directly to draft or sign the letter. For example, have a primary care podiatrist write the letter for injuries with your knees/feet, etc. The nexus letter. Thank you...I just sent an email to the Surgeon who did both of my TKR's..he is retiring from the Navy in a couple of months so Im not sure if he will have time or will be comfortable in writing the letter, but it doesn't hurt to ask! What a lot of veterans don’t know, is that they are required in order to get a VA disability claim, especially one that’s not originally thought of to be service-connected. ; A thorough physical examination will usually establish the diagnosis of knee pain. However, most VA doctors will try to prove your claim should not be service connected. … Letter five: Pain in knees, hip and back; Letter six: Bipolar disorder, plus physical health; Letter seven: Follow up to letter six; Letter eight: Bipolar, back pain, hernia, asthma; Letter nine: Psychiatric; Letter ten: Psychiatric; More Options The Social Security Blue Book. In fact, a well written nexus letter may be the single most import… On March 9, 2012, the veteran was seen for a severe case of allergic rhinitis, sinus pain, cough, congestion, and nasal drainage. This may include medical records from while you were in-service. It shouldn't be this frustrating or this hard to explain why this left knee injury was made worse because of the 5 right knee surgeries over the past 30 years!!!! Apply for VA Disability Benefits for Your Knee Pain Today. If you have questions concerning your case, please call us at 520-219-7321. … Successful claims are most often represented by law firms who have access to the right experts to help your claim. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information. Military Benefits Information for US Military, Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Spouses and Military Family. I have had 3 scopes due to meiscus tears and then a Total Knee replacement due to the advanced arthritis that occured in the left knee, all of which were done at the VAMC in La Jolla and all documented. We provide comprehensive, winning nexus letters! If the claim leaves any doubt in the mind of the ratings specialist who makes that award decision, you may be denied. Replies. This evidence can be critical when the condition developed over time. The nexus letter is the key to overturning the denial. He has chronic lower back pain, chronic neck pain, chronic pain in both shoulders, sleep difficulties, anxiety and migraine headaches. This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our, Nexus letter for Secondary left knee injury. This may include medical records from while you were in-service. The treatment of knee pain … The iovera° system is not indicated for treatment of central nervous system tissue. You can have a doctor who specializes in your area of injury perform the NEXUS letter. Make sure, however, that the buddy clearly comments on each … Or for example, if someone whose military-related injury isn’t resolved and they later get arthritis because of it – this is considered a service-connected secondary condition. All conditions, and even secondary conditions, need a separate NEXUS letter. The NEXUS letter is a written medical opinion by a qualified medical provider specifically regarding the veteran’s injury/disability in question. You can show them! This may mean you have a wait on your hands though. A NEXUS letter should be written by a veteran’s primary care physician stating their medical opinion regarding whether the claim was service connected or not.