Why Some VA Claims Get Denied—and How a Medical Expert Can Help

4-21-2025

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

“I am a veteran. I am a board-certified internist. I know the VA inside and out. I know how the VA thinks—because I’ve been on the inside. And now, I’m on your side.” Dr. Howard Friedman MD

Not every word will carry weight,

But some are forged in service, fate.

A voice that knows the halls within,

Now stands beside you to begin.

With truth and rank, the case is made—

Where battles shift, but honor’s stayed.

---Dr. Howard Friedman MD

The VA claims process is riddled with rules, regulations, and red tape—and even one misstep can result in a denial. Many veterans find themselves blindsided, not because their condition isn’t real or serious, but because the claim didn’t follow the required process. Claims can be denied for a number of reasons: insufficient medical evidence, missing service records, incorrect or incomplete forms, or a failure to establish a direct service connection. Even something as simple as adding new information mid-assessment or missing a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam can derail the claim.

One of the most overlooked reasons a claim is denied. A lack of gravitas. When an appeal doesn’t carry weight—when it lacks credible medical backing and a clear, evidence-based narrative—the VA has little reason to reverse course. That’s where a Nexus Letter becomes essential.

A Nexus Letter is not just another piece of paperwork. It’s a physician’s well-reasoned medical opinion, tying a veteran’s current condition to their military service. But writing one that makes an impact isn’t easy. It demands an understanding of the human body, military service, VA language, and medical literature. It requires precision, expertise, and insight.

That’s where Howard’s House of Medicine (HHOM LLC) steps in.

I didn’t just study medicine—I grew up with it. My family lived and breathed healthcare: my father and uncle were physicians, my mother a dietitian, my grandfathers a dentist and a pharmacist. I earned my medical degree at Case Western Reserve University, trained at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and served for six years as a physician in the U.S. Army. I know what it means to serve.

After the Army, I moved through private practice, hospital-owned systems, and ultimately the VA, where I spent 19 years not just as a clinician but as a supervisor, pain management champion, and pioneer of the home-based care model. My clinics were among the first to implement the VA’s medical home concept.

I don’t share this background to boast—I share it so you understand why my voice matters in the eyes of the VA. I know the military. I know medicine. I know the VA. I’ve walked the walk, and now I advocate for veterans from the outside in. My Nexus Letters are thorough, legally sound, medically authoritative, and written to resonate with the decision-makers inside the VA.

I open each Nexus Letter by stating the truth:

“I am a veteran. I am a board-certified internist. I know the VA inside and out. I know how the VA thinks—because I’ve been on the inside. And now, I’m on your side.”

—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

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: What are the most common reasons VA disability claims get denied?

Answer: Claims are often denied due to missing medical evidence, lack of a clear service connection, incomplete forms, or missed C&P exams. Even valid claims can be rejected if the supporting documentation doesn’t meet VA standards or lacks professional credibility.

Question: What is a Nexus Letter, and why does it matter?

Answer: A Nexus Letter is a physician’s medical opinion linking a veteran’s condition to their military service. It must be medically sound, clearly written, and aligned with VA expectations. A strong Nexus Letter can be the deciding factor between approval and denial.

Question: How does Dr. Howard Friedman’s background benefit veterans?

Answer: Dr. Friedman is a veteran, a board-certified internist, and a former VA physician and supervisor with 30+ years of experience. He knows how the VA thinks and writes Nexus Letters that are detailed, authoritative, and tailored to succeed in the VA system.