Veterans Disability Services
Helping Veterans Clearly Present the Medical Evidence
VA disability claims can involve hundreds or even thousands of pages of medical records, military records, examinations, and previous decisions.
Sometimes the question is not whether a veteran has a medical condition. The question is whether the medical evidence supports a relationship between that condition and military service.
A carefully prepared Nexus letter or independent medical opinion can help explain that relationship in a clear, medically supported way.
Robert Clinton, MD has performed more than 30,000 C&P examinations and is both a former U.S. Army physician and a disabled veteran who has personally been through the VA disability process.
His goal is to identify the evidence that matters, evaluate the medical reasoning, and present an independent medical opinion that is clear, concise, and supported by the record.
30,000+
C&P Examinations Performed
Army Physician
Former U.S. Army Physician & Disabled Veteran
Independent
Evidence-Based Medical Opinions
Understanding Your Options
What Is a Nexus Letter?
A Nexus letter is an independent medical opinion addressing whether a veteran's current medical condition may be related to military service or to another service-connected disability.
When supported by the evidence, the opinion may address whether the relationship is "at least as likely as not."
A strong medical opinion should do more than state a conclusion. It should explain the reasoning behind that conclusion.
Comprehensive Review
What We Review
Service & Military Records
Service treatment records, entrance and separation examinations, documented injuries, illnesses, occupational exposures, deployments, and other relevant military information.
VA Records
VA treatment records, C&P examinations, rating decisions, favorable findings, previous medical opinions, and prior denials.
Civilian Medical Records
Primary care records, specialist evaluations, imaging, surgeries, laboratory findings, physical therapy records, and other relevant medical documentation.
Medical Literature
Relevant peer-reviewed medical literature and established clinical evidence may be reviewed and cited when appropriate.
VA Guidance
Relevant VA publications, examination guidance, medical principles, and other applicable materials may be considered when useful to the medical analysis.
Evaluation Types
What We Can Evaluate
Direct Service Connection
Whether a current medical condition may be related to an injury, illness, event, or exposure occurring during military service.
Secondary Service Connection
Whether a medical condition may have been caused by another service-connected condition.
Aggravation
Whether another condition may have been worsened by military service or by a service-connected disability.
Previously Denied Conditions
A prior denial does not necessarily mean there is nothing further to review. We can examine prior VA decisions, examinations, medical records, and available evidence to determine whether there is additional medically relevant information that may deserve consideration.
Our Commitment
We do not manufacture evidence. We do not exaggerate symptoms. We do not guarantee VA benefits.
Our responsibility is to provide an independent medical assessment.
Sometimes the evidence supports a connection.
Sometimes additional documentation is needed.
Sometimes the available evidence does not medically support the requested opinion.
Veterans deserve an honest review of the evidence and a clear explanation of the medical reasoning.
DBQ Services
Disability Benefits Questionnaires
A Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ, is used to document the diagnosis, severity, symptoms, functional effects, and examination findings associated with a medical condition.
A DBQ and a Nexus letter serve different purposes.
A DBQ generally documents the current condition.
A Nexus letter or independent medical opinion addresses the medical relationship between the condition and military service or another service-connected condition.
Some veterans may benefit from one or both.
DBQ examinations are available for appropriate patients in North Carolina and may require an in-person medical examination depending upon the condition being evaluated.
Transparent Pricing
Pricing
Nexus Letter / Independent Medical Opinion
Starting at $1,000
Includes comprehensive medical record review and preparation of an independent medical opinion. Standard cases may include up to three related medical conditions or nexus questions when they can reasonably be evaluated together. Cases involving numerous unrelated conditions, extensive medical records, previous denials, conflicting medical opinions, or significant additional research may require a custom quote.
DBQ Evaluation
First DBQ: $500
Additional DBQs completed during the same evaluation: $300 each. When Nexus opinions and DBQs are being completed together, a combined quote can be provided based upon the number and complexity of the conditions being evaluated.
The Process
How It Works
Contact Us
Tell us which conditions you would like evaluated and whether the VA has previously issued a decision.
Provide Your Records
Relevant records may include VA rating decisions, prior C&P examinations, service treatment records, VA medical records, civilian medical records, imaging, and specialist evaluations.
Physician Review & Consultation
Dr. Clinton reviews the medical history and supporting evidence and discusses the case with the veteran. When an examination is required, an appropriate appointment will be arranged.
Medical Opinion and/or DBQ
When medically supported, the findings and reasoning are documented in a clear independent medical opinion, Nexus letter, DBQ, or combination of these services.
About Dr. Clinton
Why Experience Matters
Robert Clinton, MD
Family Medicine Physician • Former U.S. Army Physician • Disabled Veteran
Dr. Clinton has performed more than 30,000 Compensation & Pension examinations.
That experience has involved reviewing medical histories, examining veterans, evaluating service-related medical questions, and working through complex medical records.
As a disabled veteran himself, he has also personally experienced the VA disability process.
His approach is to look carefully through the evidence, identify medically relevant information, consider appropriate medical literature, and explain the medical reasoning in a way that is organized and understandable.
Get Started
Have Questions About Your Claim?
You do not have to determine by yourself whether you need a DBQ, a Nexus letter, or another medical opinion.
Start with a consultation.
We can review your situation, determine what records may be helpful, and discuss the appropriate next step.
Haymount Urgent Care and Robert Clinton, MD provide independent medical evaluations and medical opinions. We are not the Department of Veterans Affairs and are not affiliated with the VA. We do not guarantee service connection, disability ratings, claim approval, or any particular outcome. Medical opinions are based upon the individual veteran's history, available medical records, examination findings when applicable, relevant medical evidence, and the physician's independent professional judgment.