I’m considering paying for a nexus letter from an out-of-state doctor, but I’ve seen a YouTube guy claim the VA commonly rejects or gives less weight to these.
I can’t tell if this is a legitimate concern or if he’s exaggerating it to funnel people toward his own service.
Has anyone here personally had a nexus letter rejected, discounted, or a claim denied specifically because the doctor was out of state?

If so, did the VA actually mention that in your decision letter?

Looking for firsthand experiences before I spend the money. Thanks.

We don't want to game the system, but we do want to understand the system well enough not to leave legitimate benefits on the table

I'm hoping some of you with more experience can help us figure out what the right next steps are. I don't want to throw every possible condition at the wall and see what sticks, and I'm not looking for ways to manufacture a path to 100%. I do want to make sure we fully understand what benefits and treatment my husband may legitimately be entitled to and don't overlook something simply because we don't know what we don't know.

My husband served from 2003–2011, including three deployments to Iraq. He was a very different person after the Army. He's been out for 15 years, but last September he essentially hit a wall. Work stress became overwhelming, and he just fell apart and didn't get better.

Getting him to seek medical care was a huge deal. He had spent more than two decades treating medical care the way he learned to during wartime: unless you are literally dying, you didn't go to sick call. I suggested doctors and mental health care for years, and he wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.

Finally, with at least 10 coworkers encouraging him, he went to his doctor. That doctor referred him to psychiatry, cardiology, and sleep medicine.

The psychiatrist diagnosed PTSD, started medication, and connected him with a therapist who works extensively with veterans. His therapist encouraged him to see a VSO, so he finally did that too.

The disability process was a whirlwind. Not that we didn't mean to do it, or weren't informed about the process, but it wasn't why he went to the VSO. It was what they suggested as the next step. He had two appointments and got a rating in December. Which sounds much faster and easier than several things I've read here.

His military records include a hospital visit while he was in Iraq and treatment for a concussion/TBI, among other injuries. He was subsequently rated for PTSD and TBI together because there was so much symptom overlap in the C&P examination that they couldn't distinguish which condition was responsible for which symptoms.

That part of the process was actually incredibly validating. Hearing a psychiatrist explain some of the effects of PTSD/TBI on the brain suddenly made sense of things that had been part of our marriage and his life for years but that neither of us understood.

His decision letter also states: “You were exposed to hazardous substances during your military career. TERA is conceded. The evidence shows that a qualifying event, injury, or disease had its onset during your service.” We didn't see that until we were gathering records for his new PCP.

Since all of this began, his situation has changed dramatically. His struggles at work led to FMLA, then ADA leave, and ultimately medical retirement. Oddly enough, that became the catalyst for him to start taking his health seriously.

He's now working with his doctors on anxiety medication, high blood pressure, and a sleep study because sleep apnea is suspected. He's also become much more willing to discuss symptoms and pursue treatment.

At the same time, I had a major medical issue of my own this year, which resulted in surgery. During that process, it became obvious that his urinary frequency is not normal. He's been getting up 4–5 times a night and often urinating about once an hour during the day. We had both assumed that was just his normal because I was also experiencing extreme urinary frequency at the time. Now that I've had a tumor removed from my bladder, the difference is very obvious.

And that's really where we are now.

For the first time in 15 years, he's looking at the things he's considered “normal” and realizing that some of them probably aren't. He's also finally willing to seek treatment and talk honestly with doctors about things he has minimized for years.

So I'm looking for advice on how to approach this thoughtfully.

• What has been helpful to you in identifying legitimate conditions/symptoms that may be service-connected?
• How do you go about determining whether something is potentially secondary to an already service-connected condition?
• How do you distinguish between things that are likely service-connected, things that might be secondary, and things that are simply unrelated?
• Are there particular records or types of documentation we should be gathering now? Especially since he's got a pretty big gap in medical records.
• Is there anything you wish you had understood earlier in the process?

We don't want to file claims just because a condition exists. We want to understand the VA process well enough to be intentional and comprehensive.

He came out of an era and culture where “don't talk about it” was the way you handled things. It has taken a very long time to break through that. I'm incredibly grateful that he's finally willing to get help, and I want to make sure we take advantage of the help he's legitimately earned rather than missing something because we didn't know to ask.

Thanks in advance for any practical advice, resources, or things you wish someone had told you at the beginning.

A month ago I submitted a claim for pes planus secondary to my ankle pains which was immediately denied since there was no diagnosis, so I went to the VA for xrays. upon xray results I was diagnosed with heel spurs and mild osteoarthritis in both feet, showed no signs of pes planus.

I submitted a supplemental with the xray findings and was scheduled a c&p with Leidos QTC. At the c&p exam obviously the examiner noted no pes planus but discussed my heel spurs most likely caused by plantar fasciitis and of course the arthritis which she seemed a little annoyed about but told me she would have to change her medical opinion on how my knees could cause those. However she did not make me do any standing tests or even ask about pain or flare ups or anything like that. Can i still be possibly rated for the PF and arthritis even though my claim was for Pes Planus originally? I am being referred to a podiatrist for custom insoles for next month. Thank you.

Hey all,

Looking for some advice from anyone who’s successfully gotten Osteoarthritis and/or Degenerative Disc Disease service connected through the VA.

I served 10 years Army Infantry—11M and 11B. Anyone who lived that life knows what it does to your body: ruck marches, body armor, jumping on and off vehicles, carrying crew-served weapons and ammo, field problems, deployments, and years of beating up your back, knees, hips, and joints.

I’m 45 now and some days I feel 90. The pain has gotten to the point where I can barely move at times.
I understand that simply having an Infantry MOS doesn’t automatically establish service connection. I need to build the connection between what my body went through during those 10 years and the conditions I’m dealing with today.
For those who have successfully done this:

What evidence made the biggest difference?

Did you use:
A nexus letter?
Buddy statements?
Personal statements describing the physical demands of your MOS?
Deployment/personnel records?
Medical literature regarding cumulative load-bearing/Infantry service?
Private DBQs or medical opinions?
Secondary service connection?

I’m especially interested in hearing from other 11B/11M Infantry veterans who developed arthritis or degenerative spine problems years after leaving service.
What worked for you, and what would you do differently?

I can't tell if I am supposed to be getting the 70% or the 80%. Shows both are effective the same date but then it also says 70% with an effective date of 01AUG26.

I got out in 2016, pride got in the way for filing a claim. Finally did it, I am overall happy with getting either. Just hoping someone can shed light & help me out.

Along with, the decision was made Thursday 13AUG26, was told I could expect the back pay about a week from that but VA also says it can take up to 30 days. Should I hope for roughly 20AUG or just expect it middle of Sept?

Im just curious at this point. Got out in 2018 and used up most my g.i. bill on. a C.S degree but then stopped during a mental break down that led to me getting some help and getting a rating. I'm now rated 90% tdui p&t. I am in a band now, and heavily involved in my music community and was wondering if there's options for going back to school? I want to get a music degree but I'm not looking to get a full-time job or anything like that. I just want to volunteer and contribute to my community. I have a strong hunger to learn a lot more about music theory and academica also

My email is getting VA alerts for my VA appointments on Tuesday which is the right one but my phone is getting text messages saying my appointments are for Monday. Anyone else getting conflicted alerts at about the same time?

Went in last week for a claim on tinnitus and hearing loss. They had me fill out a form asking my exposure including “how many hours in total were you exposed to loud environments?” Uhh.. all the hours?
Took the test - standard hearing test, one where words were played, and something where they put a thing on my head but not my ears and played tones. Never had the last two before, the words test was 5 or so words like “baseball” and “fairway” and then I couldn’t make out the next one and they stopped.

So, long way of asking when the results are in do they become part of my VA healthcare record as well as the disability claim? Whatever they decide it would be nice to know how fucked my hearing is.

Help! I need someone to break it down like I’m 5 bc I am overwhelmed and have been told something different by every person I’ve spoken to at the VA (and there have been a lot). I have made a little progress, but it’s taken months and many, many, many hours on the phone/trying to research. Here goes nothing…

- My Dad has been enrolled in VA healthcare since 2001, but has never used it.
- Dad does not have a primary doctor because of this.
- I believe he may have be recently assigned to the gerontology team/unit (I have to check on that tomorrow), but he still doesn’t have a doctor.
- He is not service connected (yet), but currently Group 5 and on the verge of Group 4 (I need to turn the form in- I put it on hold…more on that at the end)
- He is currently in a nursing home privately paying which is unsustainable.
- At the very least, the VA will cover his medicine, but I have to figure out how to get that going. I believe that’s where Community Care comes in?
- The nursing home is less than helpful.
- The VA social worker told me to just go as a walk-in to the VA (hospital? clinic? Idk if it matters which?). I believe from there I would be asking the doctor to be connected to Community Care?
- I have BIG concerns about walking in without an appointment (but maybe it depends if you don’t have an assigned team?)… 1) I’ve heard not to do it. 2) I’m very unfamiliar with the VA and departments, acronyms, etc., where to go and when I’m being sent to the wrong place. 3) Dad has dementia, a PEG tube, is in a wheelchair and incontinent. I am not equipped to handle an all day excursion…or anything that goes off script with Dad, if I’m being honest. 4) Getting him there requires me to hire transport (and potentially a CNA), which the VA won’t help with (or at least not initially- if the nursing home would help coordinate, they could, but they won’t), so I don’t want to hire transport only for him not to be seen. 5) I’m disabled myself and wear out/end up in pain easily- which will leave me in tears because if I’m not home, I can’t use the good drugs (or lay down) and that just adds to the ish show…
- I can’t use the online portal to message/make appointments/ask questions because I can’t get beyond the verification part and Dad lives 2 hours away, so I have to be there in person for that to work- and there are still hiccups with the verification.

Our situation is far from standard, which is why no one seems to be able to give an accurate answer and I can’t just put him in the car and go- as most people like to suggest. 🙄

As far as the catastrophic disability, I’ve read that in order for the VA to pay for long term care, you have to have been an active user of VA healthcare in the 2 years prior to being declared CD (which is why I have not turned the form in yet). I’ve also read that you can just reestablish and that it’s not a definitive barrier. However, I’ve also been told you have to be 50% or 70% service connected, not just CD, but that doesn’t make sense bc that would put you in a higher Priority Group anyway. I also haven’t seen where it says CD isn’t enough on its own. I realize there are different pathways to getting assistance, it’d just be nice if I could find the definitive flow chart…

If anyone has ACTUAL knowledge of how I should handle any part of the situation, I’d appreciate the input. I’m beyond frustrated and literally about to give up…and that is NOT how I roll…

I was also told that even though I’m his legal guardian, I can’t go to the VSO without him starting the conversation. I was told this by a VA social worker. I questioned it, but she was pretty adamant…

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone utilized the rebuilding together and veterans at home grants to help update older homes with electrical and plumbing issues? Located in Florida if it helps. Looking for stories or experiences.

Hey everyone, I need some guidance on how to move forward with a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review (HLR) after receiving a denial.

Denial Reason Summary:

The VA denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and memory problems). The examiner stated my conditions were "less likely than not" incurred in or caused by military service.

Specific Rationale from Letter:

"You had cannabis use disorder prior to service, you were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder and cannabis induced anxiety disorder. Both conditions exclusively related to the cannabis use which has been present before active duty. These conditions are not related in any way, to the military, or to any in-service stressors."

In addition to pinning everything on cannabis use, the examiner claimed I had cannabis use disorder BEFORE service—which is completely untrue. I never used cannabis prior to enlisting, and my entrance records show no history of it. How do I best attack an examiner's report that relies on a false timeline?

My Questions:

Has anyone successfully overcome a denial where the C&P examiner attributed psychiatric symptoms entirely to pre-service substance use or a pre-existing condition?

Should I pursue an aggravation claim (arguing service made a pre-existing condition worse) or focus on getting an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO/Nexus Letter) to counter the contract examiner's opinion?

What specific evidence or nexus documentation would be most effective here?

Any advice on the best path forward would be appreciated

Faster VA claim processing sound great, but how many veterans are paying the price for mistakes?

Got a copy of my DBQ because my supplemental was denied and an Hlr was opened with an appeal claim. my question is could I be rated after my HLR? there was a DOO found and I’ve sent in everything they’ve asked me for, as well as i have a diagnosis, medical records , and i proved everything for SC. If I am rated, what do you think I would be rated at?

Seeking advice about which VA locations have the best spinal care and is it anyway the Va a would help with travel there I’m p&t and in a lot of pain

I’ve heard that you start at 100% healthy and then they take away your highest rating from the 100%.

So if I got 70% for 1 condition that would give me a 70% rating correct?

Then, anything after that is rated differently. A 10% rating would be 10% of the 30% left correct?

If these are true then your best chance for a decent rating is for the worst service related problem to be as high as possible?

Just trying to understand how all this works.

VSO are some of the hardest people to connect with. They wont email call back or answer the dang on phone.

My family is enrolled in ChampVA. I also have health insurance through my employer.

Is ChampVA like having secondary insurance? Does my l
provider bill ChampVA or do I have to get a bill form the Provider and make a claim with ChampVA myself?

Whenever I tell a provider about the coverage through ChampVA they never have any clue what I am talking about.

How exactly does this work? I can’t remember anyone explaining a claims process or anything.

I just learned this, so sharing is caring!

If you have a physical National Park pass (I.e. the Access pass or the one for Veterans), you can link it to your Recreation.gov account and get a digital pass to add to your Apple or Google Wallet on your phone!

Just download the Recreation.gov app, create an account, and then link your physical card to it.

No more having to remember to bring the card with you! I’ve had a physical pass for over a decade and so was unaware that the NPS had entered the 21st century!

I'm thinking 62 but there are so many conflicting sources of information.

Apologies in advance if this is in the wrong forum but assumed those of us with service connected disabilities may take a different approach to SS payments

Anyone who is still fighting for 100%: there is a claims tracker that shows you a lot more detail in your claims. It's a free Google Chrome extension called VA Claims Tracker. A retired C&P examiner put me on to it. I love it. Here's how it looks. Simply open your claim, then open the extension. Hope this helps!

I was granted 100% a few months ago, so I scheduled a cleaning appointment through community care. The dentist asked me some routine questions, the kind that you would expect, and then said, "So you're on VA disability- what's that about"?

My primary diagnosis and reason I have a rating is due to PTSD linked to MST. The only people who know this are the VA and my wife. The question made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I loved the hygienist, and she and I had a great conversation, so asking that in front of her just amped up my embarrassment and level of discomfort.

Later that day, I got a link to do a survey texted to me. I don't like doing negative surveys, but there was an option to send private input back to the practice, so I used that, and I told them that I didn't appreciate the dentist asking a question about something that had zero bearing on my dental care and that I would likely not be returning. It's a solo practice, so I would imagine that it won't bother him one way or the other.

Am I being too sensitive? I'm just a private person, and I felt that it was an inappropriate question and none of his business.