PTSD Nexus Letters
By Telemedica
6/4/2024
In this post, we’ll explore the value of a nexus letter for PTSD. We’ll also examine the role a nexus letter can play in helping you get the PTSD VA rating you deserve.
PTSD is more common in veterans than civilians, and some studies show PTSD is three times more likely among deployed veterans compared to those who never deployed (of the same service era).
If you’re seeking VA benefits for PTSD, it’s vital that you understand the importance of a nexus letter and how it can benefit your VA claim.
PTSD Nexus Letters and the Role of Mental Health Evaluations
It’s worth mentioning that veterans should not ask for a PTSD Nexus Letter. To explain why, it’s important for veterans to understand how mental health evaluations work. Following a mental health evaluation, the provider determines what diagnosis or diagnoses a veteran’s symptoms meet the criteria for.
Since there are specific guidelines for PTSD, it’s common for veterans to think they have PTSD but have a different but closely related diagnosis like other trauma stress disorder, anxiety, or depression.
The VA uses the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR § 4.130) and VA ratings for mental health conditions range from 0% to 100%.
Nexus Letters for PTSD (and Other Mental Health Conditions)
A nexus letter proves to be a critical piece of evidence for veterans applying for VA disability benefits, which helps connect their mental health condition to their military service.
A nexus letter with high-probative value includes:
- The physician’s credentials, particularly ones that make them a trustworthy source for the following opinion (i.e., a cardiologist talking about a heart condition, etc.).
- A reference indicating that the physician composing the letter has thoroughly reviewed the veteran’s medical records and military records related to the claim.
- The physician’s opinion regarding the cause of the current diagnosed condition and its relation to the veteran’s military service.
- Medical rationale that fully supports the physician’s opinion.
PTSD Nexus Letter: Your Missing Link?
A nexus letter is frequently the missing link needed to win a VA disability claim, outlining the professional opinion of the medical provider examining the veteran.
Since PTSD generally isn’t diagnosed until long after the stressor injury or event, a PTSD nexus letter with high-probative value can help provide the necessary details for a VA disability claim.
Keep in mind that you can’t ask specifically for a PTSD nexus. You must get a mental health evaluation and your provider will determine what diagnoses your symptoms meet criteria for.
It’s important to understand that there are very specific guidelines for PTSD, and there are several closely related diagnoses, like anxiety and depression, so it’s vital to receive a proper diagnosis.
Secondary Conditions to PTSD
Frequently, veterans with PTSD develop secondary conditions ratable by the VA. Remember that you’ll need a separate nexus letter for each condition.
For example, you would need a nexus letter for migraines secondary to PTSD and a nexus letter for hypertension secondary to PTSD if you suffer from both conditions because of PTSD.
Common secondary conditions to PTSD include:
- Migraines
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- ED (Erectile Dysfunction)
- Hypertension
Service-Connecting PTSD
To receive a VA disability rating, you must prove that your military service directly caused your PTSD.
To service-connect your PTSD, you must provide the following:
- A Current Diagnosis: A documented medical diagnosis of PTSD by a qualified healthcare professional.
- Evidence of an In-Service Event: Proof of an incident, injury, illness, or aggravation that occurred during military service, substantiated by relevant records or testimonies.
- A Nexus or Link: The presence of a connection, supported by credible medical evidence, between the current PTSD diagnosis and the documented in-service event, establishing the cause-and-effect relationship between the two.
VA Ratings for PTSD
The VA rates PTSD at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%, depending on the severity, frequency, and duration of your symptoms.
The highest VA rating for PTSD is 100%, with most veterans receiving between 50% and 70%.
You can find the VA ratings for PTSD under 38 C.F.R. § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411 Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders.
Medical Evidence Wins VA Claims
Whether you need a PTSD nexus letter, a nexus letter for migraines secondary to PTSD, or something else, we make it EASY for veterans to connect with a licensed provider through our HIPAA telemedicine platform—anytime, anywhere!
From DBQs and Nexus Letters to Mental health evaluations and Telemedicine Evaluations, the team at Telemedica is standing by to serve you. Get the evidence you need to WIN your VA disability claim today.