Evidence of Current Disability

There must be evidence of a current disability. Competent medical evidence is an independent medical opinion - in this case, a Nexus Letter. 

Lay observation does not establish a current disability.  The veteran must have an established diagnosis from a healthcare provider and  a record of treatment.  The diagnosis must be obtained from your own healthcare provider. You, as the client/veteran, will need to provide the medical records showing the diagnosis and treatment of your disability.  These records can be from military service and/or years after service.

Evidence of an in-service occurrence or aggravation

There must be medical evidence of an in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury. A statement from the veteran, service medical records, and buddy statements can also be used, however the medical evidence is the most important for your claim.
You as the client will need to provide the medical records showing the diagnosis and treatment of your disability.

Connection

There must be competent evidence of a link or nexus between the in-service occurrence or aggravation of the disease or injury and the current disability. This can only be completed by a medical provider who is an expert in the field. Patriot Health Connection providers are experts able to complete an independent medical opinion to establish this connection.

Lack of connection is the most common reason why VA claims for disability compensation are not successful. There are five different ways to show that a disability is linked to service: direct service connection, aggravation, presumptive service connection, secondary service connection, and if the current condition is a consequence of an injury caused by VA health care, VA training, or a VA compensated work therapy program.