VA Disability Claim Nexus Letter: A Veteran’s Song

8-12-2025

By Dr. Howard Friedman MD | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps | Internal Medicine | HHOM LLC

A song can hold a soldier’s story when words alone aren’t enough

They shake your hand, they thank your name,

The words are warm, the rules the same.

But in the file, the ink can blur—

A “yes” becomes a hesitant “sir.”

You stand your ground, you fight to show

What they should have seen long ago.

—Dr. Howard Friedman, MD

The VA tells veterans they only need to prove something is “as likely as not” to win a disability claim. On paper, that sounds fair — even generous. But for too many veterans, that promise feels different when the decision arrives in the mail. VA disability claim Nexus Letter is the name of this blog.

Care for veterans has evolved since the Revolutionary War, expanding after the Civil War and becoming a formal department in 1988. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs is vast, and one of its key branches — the Veterans Benefits Administration — is where disability claims live or die.

Help

The VA says it doesn’t want to be adversarial toward veterans. To win a claim, you must meet three requirements:

1. Eligibility — You served in the military and were honorably discharged.

2. Condition — You have a diagnosed medical or psychological condition.

3. Connection — The condition is related to your time in service.

   
   

The “as likely as not” standard means you only need to show a 50% chance your condition is service-related. You start with a claim — and by law, no one can charge you to help with this initial filing. Your records are requested and reviewed. If the VA can confirm your condition, it goes to a rating official. If not, they may deny your claim outright or send you for a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. The rating official then decides: grant or deny.

From there, you have the right to appeal. You can challenge a denial or an underrating.

Appeals can take different paths, but one of the most effective tools — and one I know well — is the Nexus Letter, a medical document that links your condition directly to your service.

Hurt

Here’s where reality often undercuts the promise. While the rules say 50% is enough, the application of that rule can feel like a moving target. I regularly review records where the connection is clear — yet the veteran still hears "no.” That’s good for my business, but bad for veterans. I’d rather see a system where these letters weren’t needed as often, but the truth is, the denials and low ratings aren’t going away. And so, my work continues. VA disability claim Nexus Letter is the claim this blog explores.

In Charge

At the end of the day, you are the one in control of your claim. If you’re denied or underrated, you can choose how to fight back. Nexus Letters can come from many sources — but veterans need to be cautious. Some companies charge very little upfront, then take a large share of your back pay if you win.

Remember: your claim’s effective date is the day you filed. If your appeal succeeds months or even years later, you may receive back pay from that date — and that’s what some services and attorneys are after.

What Is Needed for a Strong Nexus Letter

A strong Nexus Letter should be unbiased, written by someone with gravitas — ideally a physician in the relevant specialty. Board certification is a plus. Knowledge of VA procedures is another. The provider will need:

• Your DD-214

• Any military and VA medical records related to your claim

• VA decision letters (approvals and denials)

• Documentation of any toxic exposures or occupational hazards tied to your MOS

  
  

Conclusion

This process has been evolving for nearly 250 years, but the core challenge remains: proving your case in a system that can feel stacked against you. HHOM LLC exists to help veterans meet that challenge. I write every Nexus Letter myself — one at a time — with full transparency and a HIPAA-secure way to receive your records. VA disability claim Nexus Letter is at home with HHOM LLC.

There are no games here. Just the truth, backed by medical expertise, written to give veterans their best chance.

The road is long, the forms are thick,

The answers slow, the changes quick.

But every page, each line, each word,

Can carry weight until it’s heard.

You’ve earned your ground, your rightful due—

And I’ll stand here, fighting with you.

—Dr. Howard Friedman, MD

—Dr. Howard Friedman MD

Board-Certified | Internal Medicine | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps

Founder of Howard’s House of Medicine (HHOM LLC)

https://www.hhomllc.com

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why does the VA use the “as likely as not” standard for disability claims?

A: The VA’s “as likely as not” standard means a veteran only has to show a 50% probability that their condition is related to military service. This is meant to give veterans the benefit of the doubt — but in practice, it’s often applied inconsistently, leading to denials even when the evidence meets that threshold.

Q: What makes a Nexus Letter effective in winning a VA disability appeal?

A: A strong Nexus Letter is clear, unbiased, and written by a medical professional with relevant expertise. It should directly connect the veteran’s condition to their military service, cite medical reasoning, reference service and medical records, and demonstrate knowledge of VA claims procedures.

Q: Why are so many veterans denied despite meeting the eligibility rules?

A: Denials can stem from incomplete records, lack of clear medical linkage, or inconsistent application of VA standards. Even when evidence is strong, subjective interpretation by rating officials can result in a “no.” This is why many veterans turn to Nexus Letters and appeals to ensure their service connection is fully recognized.