Nexus Letters Question

[Johhny_Drama]

Happy Friday Eve

Question about nexus letter. I had 2 doctors provide nexus letters to support my claim. I made sure to read the help guides and have a better understanding of what is required as in the verbiage and what nots. I read some articles and wanted to include to support my claim. My VSO said if it comes back as denied he can supply case file to support my claim. You can review past cases etc. Can I also add medical references from Pubmed or medical journals on your own to support the claim? I have 2 nexus letters and I included a reference page with medical journal information. The doctor didn’t quote medical journal but mentioned my specific issues. Will providing this help? 

[pawmbi]

6 minutes ago, Johhny_Drama said:

To Berta

this is for my OSA being aggravated by my service connected PTSD. My doctors both wrote nexus letters and my VSO looked over and said he thought they looked great. We will see how this goes. We are responding to the denial and new evidence is the nexus. So I’m going for secondary here and I know it’s a uphill challenge. 
 

The other post you may have read was my c&p exams that I completed in June. I am battling this 30 percent flat feet issue. I have SC 30 percent plantar fasciitis bilateral and in 2016 or 2018 they denied me at increase stating I didn’t mention orthotics. I had my podiatrist make 2 pairs after reviewing everything and I gave it a shot for 2 years. They didn’t show improvement. I was issued a night splint due to my Achilles’ tendons being super tight. During the last 2 years I tore my calf muscle simply walking across the room in my house. And to top it off i now have heal spurs on both feet that feel pretty damn painful. These are the changes in the last 2-3 years since I applied for a increase. 
 

I found out they kept my feet rating at 30. Even though the report stated the custom inserts didn’t work. I have pain full to the touch feet, tight flexing Achilles’ tendons, basically every single item in the box that warrants 50. They mentioned in order to get 50 you need to show these items ...I’m thinking who is looking at my claim because that’s everything that I’m going through. It’s beyond mind blowing. They said the new heel spurs I never had are already rated with the 30 percent rating. I thought they warranted their own rating. They are a separate issue. And no rating on my Achilles’ tendons even though they feel like they might snap. So I had 30 percent and I requested increase to 50. I requested heel spurs, torn muscles, and Achilles tendinitis as secondary. And after all this I got nothing as in nothing changed. 
 

my VSO is reviewing and seeing what is going on before we move this to higher level. I can’t believe anyone of this. But I guess I should be use to it. So that’s the current situation. 

I have a veteran I got a Nexus letter for OSA for his PTSD.  It was all that was needed and perhaps one of the best Nexus letters written.  Within a week the VA approved his claim.  Search the forum for copy of it I posted on here or message me and I will send to you if you interested.  The Nexus letter was 600 bucks and it took the Dr. about 3 weeks to get it to me.  

[Johhny_Drama]

8 minutes ago, pawmbi said:

I have a veteran I got a Nexus letter for OSA for his PTSD.  It was all that was needed and perhaps one of the best Nexus letters written.  Within a week the VA approved his claim.  Search the forum for copy of it I posted on here or message me and I will send to you if you interested.  The Nexus letter was 600 bucks and it took the Dr. about 3 weeks to get it to me.  

Wow that was a thorough letter. Mine was one page. I am trying to get OSA and mentioning PTSD is aggravating my diagnosed OSA and hopefully this will work out. I may have to find a doc that specializes in nexus letters. My doctor specializes in ptsd but hasn’t written tons of letters. 

[pawmbi]

10 minutes ago, Johhny_Drama said:

Wow that was a thorough letter. Mine was one page. I am trying to get OSA and mentioning PTSD is aggravating my diagnosed OSA and hopefully this will work out. I may have to find a doc that specializes in nexus letters. My doctor specializes in ptsd but hasn’t written tons of letters. 

I haven't seen your letter but the VA does have certain "phrases" if you will that NEED to be in a Nexus for them to even consider it.  Also some BVA cases demonstrate what a VA Examiner is suppose to do when considering "secondary" conditions (is it caused by or "aggravated" by the SC condition) and these things HAVE to be in the letter.  I do not know your situation or read the IMO but be sure it captures these elements or its just going to further frustrate you down the road.  If you capable, I'd try and get a professional like Dr. Finnerty to write mine so it captures all those elements and puts you in a stronger position for success.  Other things to consider:  If you have OSA do you have a CPAP?  if so, did VA issue CPAP? Sleep Study?  make sure you include these things in your claim as well.  If I am coming across as condescending like you don't know what you are doing, I apologize that is not my intent, I just want you to be successful the first shot out!

[Berta]

You did not identify what claim your questions were about-in this recent thread.

In this past thread you were claiming OCD to be secondary to your SC PTSD

OCD claim - VA Disability Compensation Benefits Claims Research Forum - VA Disability Compensation Benefits Forums - HadIt.com Veterans

I went with that-it took time to find the BVA cases I posted and then realized there were other issues as well-you have asked us about here.

 

Please disregard my comments and suggestions on the PTSD OCD claim, ( the BVA decisions might help someone else) and I think I gave you advice already on the pes planus claim.

When someone comes here with valid questions and they might well have told us before here about their issues, it helps a lot to tell us exactly what issue they are asking questions about.

I might be a "Godsend" and many here are certainly 'Godsends' too  but I do not have a crystal ball.

I gave this thread my best shot because I thought it regarded the PTSD OCD claim.

Others will help you. My past advice on the Flat feet ( pes planus) claim was solid.Custom Orthos as I have and as you said you need as well, prove this is  a ratable disability (which gets worse in time) and thousands of vets have been able to service connect their flat feet to their military service, as well as have that as a factor in TDIU claims.

(Edited at add- Flat feet ratings are in this BVA decision:

https://www.va.gov/vetapp20/files9/20059661.txt

 

 

Edited July 16, 2021 by Berta
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