Working On A Nexus Letter For Secondary Conditions

[hurryupnwait]

Here is the 1st draft, but I want a draft ready for tomorrow when I see the neurologist.

In my medical opinion, the currently existing medical diagnosis of

_______________________________________________________________is

___ due to (100% sure);

___ more likely than not (greater than 50%); related to

___ at least as likely as not (equal to or greater than 50%); related to and

___ not at least as likely as not (less than 50%) related to

The service connected condition of __________________________

Medical rationale _________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Signature and Title of Practitioner Date

Any input

Thanks

Paul

Edited January 4, 2009 by hurryupnwait

[vaf]

Paul, remind me please, is this in support of an original claim, or did you receive an SOC or SSOC denying the claim, and you're asking for reconsideration or appealing it to the Board?

If it's in response to an SOC or SSOC, have the doc item by item address the reasons and bases in the decision, in addition to providing his own rationale.

In any case, have the doc review the rating criteria in 38 CFR for the condition you're claiming, so he can see specifically what is needed at each percentage level. Then, he can address that level and why he believes you fit the criteria.

I like the brevity of your form, but it might need to be expanded just a bit to accomodate addressing rating criteria.

[Berta]

VAF is right- the SOC or SSOC will contain the VA's own medical rationale and the IMO will have to overcome the VA opinion with better and stronger medical rationale.

[hurryupnwait]

Paul, remind me please, is this in support of an original claim, or did you receive an SOC or SSOC denying the claim, and you're asking for reconsideration or appealing it to the Board?

If it's in response to an SOC or SSOC, have the doc item by item address the reasons and bases in the decision, in addition to providing his own rationale.

In any case, have the doc review the rating criteria in 38 CFR for the condition you're claiming, so he can see specifically what is needed at each percentage level. Then, he can address that level and why he believes you fit the criteria.

I like the brevity of your form, but it might need to be expanded just a bit to accomodate addressing rating criteria.

My objective is to get a C&P exam for several secondary issues that I would like have related to my service connected condition. I am not responding to a SOC or SSOC.

I m not sure if I need to get this doctor involved in reading the rating criteria for each condition, he prolly will not want to get that involved. I m interested in him/her making the connection of a current medical diagnosis to my SC, that may have the VA send me to C&P exam, that is where I think I should have the rating criteria in my hand to discuss with him/ her.

Happy Trails

Paul

[john999]

If your doctor's letter is good enough you may not need a C&P exam. I got two conditions SC'ed as secondary without a c&p exam. My VA doctor wrote me a letter and bingo.

[hurryupnwait]

If your doctor's letter is good enough you may not need a C&P exam. I got two conditions SC'ed as secondary without a c&p exam. My VA doctor wrote me a letter and bingo.

So maybe it would be better to ask the doctor to use my format as an outline to write a letter? Should the rating criteria be in the outline?

Paul

[rentalguy1]

Paul, don't overthink it. They don't necessarily need a rational, just a nexus. The nexus letter in my signature will and has worked just fine for me and several other vets. All you have to do is print it off, fill it out, and have the doc check the most appropriate box and sign it. Then send it in.