Make sure The doctor puts his/her medical license number. Have him give his credentials, Training/College etc. Most Doctors assume they may be called in to testify or be a witness, assure him this will not happen. What ever medical evidence you have take it, and also tell him he needs to state " I have reviewed the veterans history and medical records". Ask him to please give a direct answer,"not that he believes more so then not" or "surely could". . Here is a example of a letter by one of the Top Nero Surgeons in Michigan that The VA used against me not for me. Dr reply He has severe amount of degenerative disks through out his upper and lower spine. He has had an injury where he stated that he did drop straight down, about 20 feet during his service. Certainly an injury like that can cause an acceleration of the degenerative disk disease and it is more likely then not, that he had certainly had in
an effect in terms of his ultimate problems That he Has had. Nice letter? VA replied Dr did not read case history of VA medical records and did only submit his opinion as verbally listening to the veterans account or story. He did not state yes this is was what caused it. Yes trivial but it delayed me 3 years. Also they did not accept the other 3 doctors notes at all?
Also some of the great service organizations do help but it is up to you to make sure they are representing you properly . If possible show your private doctor the VA list that shows the problems you have.
General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine
(For diagnostic codes 5235 to 5243 unless 5243 is evaluated under the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes):
With or without symptoms such as pain (whether or not it radiates), stiffness, or aching in the area of the spine affected by residuals of injury or disease
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine..................................................... 100
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine............................... 50
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or, forward flexion
of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of
the entire thoracolumbar spine..................................................................... 40
Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable
ankylosis of the entire cervical spine............................................................ 30
Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not
greater than 60 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater
than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of
motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, the
combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees;
or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait
or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or
abnormal kyphosis...................................................................................... 20
Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not
greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than
30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of
the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235
degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than
170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding,
or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal
contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the
height .........................................................................................................10
​and see where you fit. Also make sure you have a clearly defined nexus of your injury happening while in service. I used medical records, even some pictures of where I was put during my injury. In My case it was called STC company. We could not find nexus for 7 years and a smart guy in one of these forums said "hey you got paid while you were there didn't you"? It wasn't in my C file it was found in my personal file. This saved my butt and I was awarded my first 10% after 10 years with back pay of 16,000 dollars.
Also this is just a suggestion I used certified mail, some may not to each their own but I sent copies to VA and my service organization. Later on MY service organization had a copy but the VA did not. I hope this will help