How a Medical Expert Can Strengthen Your VA Disability Claim

5-15-2025

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

A trusted voice in your corner — medical experts bridge the gap between complex health conditions and clear, evidence-based support for your disability claim.

A clock starts ticking the moment you file,

But truth needs more than just time—it needs trial.

Each record, each word, a brick in the wall,

Yet without a voice, your case may stall.

A doctor who knows, who served, who sees—

Can turn a paper trail into victories.

-Dr. Howard Friedman MD

When you first file a VA disability claim, you are starting a process that can shape the rest of your life. Your filing date marks the official start of your disability claim—and it also locks in the date used to determine potential back pay. Everyday counts. Medical Expert VA Disability Claim Help at HHOM LLC.

Once your claim is filed, the VA typically aims to reach a decision within 135 days. However, the reality is that many factors influence the timeline: the type of claim you filed, the number of conditions you're claiming, the severity of your conditions, and how long it takes to gather all necessary evidence. It’s not a straight road—it’s a process that demands patience and persistence.

The initial phase involves basic intake: your name, Social Security number, and service history are reviewed. From there, the information gathering phase begins—and it is often the slowest step. This is where the VA pulls your military service records, medical records, and any VA treatment records. You are allowed to submit additional records yourself, but know this: if you submit them late, your claim will circle back to the information gathering phase, causing further delays.

After all the records have been received, the evidence review begins. Then comes the rating phase, where a VA rater evaluates your evidence and assigns a disability rating. A decision letter will eventually follow, explaining your rating, your monthly payment amount, and the effective start date for payment. Before the decision is finalized, a senior reviewer will give your case one last look to ensure everything is complete. Then, the decision is issued.

If you disagree with the outcome, you have exactly one year from the date of the VA’s decision to file an appeal. The appeals process can involve different paths—including supplemental claims, higher-level reviews, or a direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Often, these appeals will require a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam or additional evidence like a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) or a Nexus Letter.

And that brings us to the heart of the matter: the Nexus Letter. Nexus simply means connection. A Nexus Letter connects your current disability to your military service. Anyone technically can write a Nexus Letter—but if you want the VA to truly give weight to that letter, it must be written by a qualified medical expert who can be objective, credible, and clear.

The truth is who writes your Nexus Letter matters. A lot. The VA looks for certain credentials. They put more trust in board-certified physicians than in other allied health providers. They look at the specialty of the physician to make sure it matches your disability. And they scrutinize whether the letter is unbiased and firmly grounded in medical evidence—not emotion, speculation, or advocacy without foundation.

The medical field itself is largely divided into two camps: Medicine and Surgery. To put it simply: Medicine relies on the mind; Surgery relies on the hands. At Howard’s House of Medicine, we are firmly rooted in Medicine.

I am the sole physician at HHOM LLC. I am board-certified in Internal Medicine, with decades of experience covering the full range of adult medical conditions. I am a veteran myself, having served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I spent nearly twenty years working within the VA system—not only as a frontline provider but also as a first-level supervisor responsible for overseeing medical operations.

When you come to Howard’s House of Medicine, you are not passed off to a team of strangers. You work directly with me. Every case is personally reviewed, and every letter is personally authored—with the precision, integrity, and firsthand understanding that veterans deserve. Medical Expert VA Disability Claim Help at HHOM LLC.

If you are unsure about your case, or if you simply have questions, I invite you to use the "Ask Dr. Howard" feature on my website, HHOMLLC.com. I am here to help you navigate this journey—because no one should have to walk this road alone.

—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

Q: Why is a medical expert opinion crucial in a VA disability claim?

A: A qualified medical expert provides the “nexus” — the vital link between a veteran’s current condition and their time in service. Without a competent and credible opinion, the VA may deny the claim on the grounds of insufficient evidence. An expert like Dr. Howard Friedman, who understands VA standards and Title 38 language, can translate medical facts into the specific legal language the VA requires to approve a claim.

Q: What should a veteran look for in a medical expert for their claim?

Q: Can a private medical opinion really change the outcome of a denied claim?