IMO

[gousto0731]

Today my private doctor wrote a statement saying that the vet was in an accident while in the military where he sustained injuries to his foot the current status of his foot is more likely than not related

in some way to his prior  service and the injury sustained during the service.

can anyone tell me what they think about this statement

[Vync]

52 minutes ago, gousto0731 said:

Today my private doctor wrote a statement saying that the vet was in an accident while in the military where he sustained injuries to his foot the current status of his foot is more likely than not related

in some way to his prior  service and the injury sustained during the service.

can anyone tell me what they think about this statement

It is a bit difficult to say for certain based on the paraphrasing.

The "more likely than not related" is very good because it equates to about 75% medical certainty. Only 50%+ is needed. That might be enough, but it must be backed up with adequate medical rationale.

1. The doctor should state that they reviewed service treatment records regarding the in-service accident dated {insert dates here}. Sometimes the VA might dismiss a medical opinion because original records were never reviewed.
2. The doctor should provide a current diagnosis. This is required.
3. Medical credentials matter. For a foot injury, a podiatrist, neurologist, or orthopedic specialist would be best. If the private doctor was a dermatologist, the VA might try to override that by sending you to one of their C&P docs who is a specialist. There is an order of expertise (from least to best) and it goes something like nurse -> nurse practioner or physicians assistant -> MD -> Specialist.
4. Include the doctor's Curriculum Vitae (CV), which are basically his official qualifications. It helps the VA understand the level of the doc's expertise.
5. If your private doc has been treating you for a long time, it helps for them to state this fact. It helps the VA understand how well the doc knows your condition.

 

[gousto0731]

Thanks VYNC

[Vync]

4 minutes ago, gousto0731 said:

Thanks VYNC

Glad to help!

I had the same thing happen to me. After an in-service motor vehicle accident and other injuries, I ended up with a jacked up spine. VA docs refused to write me a nexus, so I researched and worked with a non-VA orthopedic surgeon who wrote mine.

[Slick]

The "more likely than not" is good

"in some way to his prior  service and the injury sustained during the service."- highlighted part is not good. implies injury prior to service time

Agree with VYNC- needs more meat and specific pieces that the rater understand- reviewed service records; his qualifications- an ENT doesn't help write about an orthopedic issue.

Bottom line, in my humble opinion, is the "in some way prior to service" is a show stopper. If you can put together the documentation that shows prior injury was aggravated by in-service injury-  That's all based on there actually was a prior to service injury annotated somewhere

Edited August 4, 2016 by Slick