.png)
Red Flags When Choosing a Nexus Letter Company
If you are researching a nexus letter, it can be difficult to know which companies are trustworthy. The goal of this article is not to label specific businesses as scams, but to help you recognize warning signs and make a more informed decision.
What is a nexus letter?
A nexus letter is a medical opinion from a qualified healthcare professional explaining whether a current condition may be connected to military service or another relevant event. It is supporting evidence—not a guarantee that a claim will be approved.
Warning signs to watch for
Guaranteed approval, a guaranteed disability rating, or promises of a specific outcome.
A letter offered without reviewing your medical records, service records, or relevant history.
A generic template that does not discuss your individual circumstances.
Pressure to exaggerate symptoms, change your history, or provide information that is not accurate.
Unclear information about the clinician’s license, qualifications, or role in preparing the opinion.
High-pressure sales tactics, rushed payment demands, or fees that are not explained in writing.
Claims that the company can influence the VA or guarantee how an examiner will decide your case.
Questions to ask before hiring a company
Who will personally review my records and write the opinion?
What qualifications and license does that professional have?
What information and records do you need from me?
Will the opinion explain the medical reasoning and address relevant evidence?
What exactly is included in the fee, and are revisions or follow-up questions covered?
--> If they have high fees for a revision nexus letter after a denial, it might mean they are a letter mill, providing positive letters that hold no ground with the VA.
How will my private health information be stored and protected?
A safer approach
Take time to compare providers, read the written agreement, verify professional credentials, and avoid anyone who promises a result. Consider discussing your overall claim strategy with an accredited veterans service officer or qualified representative. A reputable clinician should be honest about what the available evidence can and cannot support.
Remember
No company can guarantee a benefits decision. Be cautious of marketing that sounds too good to be true, and do not submit information that is inaccurate or misleading. Your medical opinion should be individualized, evidence-based, and written by a qualified professional.
You SHOULD expect to have to provide more information or have more questions answered.
I briefly tried to work for one of these online companies, veteran-owned and everything! I evaluated the documents people would provide and I scrutinized their claims the way the VA would.
Well, it turns out people just wanted a letter. They didn't care if it held weight.
Folks, a Nexus letter is not a golden ticket.
You DO have to have a diagnosis. If your medical team or psychiatrist can give you a diagnosis or work up before your appointment, good! Your examiners cannot order MRIs, CT scans, or many other tests.
You DO have to have a verifiable nexus. Just because YOU think your headaches are caused by the broken ankle you had in the military does not make it so. And I hate to be the bearer of bad news... but as you get older, your body does break down. Many things happen that have nothing to do with the military. If you've worked with computers for many years after your military service, that carpal tunnel syndrome is probably not related to the military. If you've been a mechanic for 10 years, you might have a hard time getting service connected for carpal tunnel as well. You've been a truck driver for 20 years? I'd be shocked if you didn't have knee and back pain! Those are some of the most common occupational complaints.
And here's one that most people don't want to hear either... sleep apnea. Someday it might be considered presumptive for burn pits, but that day is not today. The number one cause of sleep apnea is obesity. I will talk about that in a different blog post.
You DO have to have EVIDENCE of chronicity. Once again, just telling your examiner that you've had symptoms or a condition for 35 years do not reflect a paper trail of evidence.
Medical records are generally not stored indefinitely. In most states, you have 7-10 years before they disappear into the ether. Buddy letters/ lay statements also help bridge the evidentiary gap, as many service members do not seek medical care during active duty.
Ask your PCP or other provider for Nexus letter that specifically states the diagnosis, the connection to your military service, and describes the chronicity. Many providers will not write these either by choice or by company policy.
If you're choosing a company that only provides services online, check out their fees. If they're charging you $100 for a nexus letter for an appeal, ask yourself-- why wasn't their letter strong enough the first time around?
I'll be honest with you, when I write Nexus letters, I try to be more than 50% confident, which is the standard for a reasonable doubt for the VA. I want to be at least 70% because that means that I feel very comfortable arguing it. If you get denied and they have exactly the same information I have, I don't currently charge for any revisions. I mean, if you failed to mention that you were in a car accident a few years after your military service and you hurt your neck or your back in that accident... well, that just means that you withheld some very pertinent information. The more information you can provide, typically the better your next letter can be.
Okay, end of rant.
Some people are upset that Nexus letters cost anything at all, but imagine someone gives you a stack of papers that are hundreds to thousands thick and you're expected to read through them carefully, take notes on them, analyze them, and then formulate a letter to specifically address all the variables... imagine that you actually have someone writing the letter that understands EXACTLY what the VA is looking for... well, that is a good investment.
Personally? I'd skip the lawyers and see if you can find someone locally or at least a human that you can talk to. Your VSO may be able to guide you in the right direction.
Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Legal disclaimer :This article is for general education only and is not legal, claims, or benefits advice. For guidance about an individual claim, consult an accredited representative and an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
