What does a VA nexus letter need to say?

It needs the phrase 'at least as likely as not' (a 50 percent or greater probability), a reference to the specific in-service event, and a short medical rationale. Vaguer wording like 'could be related' is often not enough.

What should I write in a VA personal statement (VA Form 21-4138)?

Be specific and honest: tie the condition to the in-service event, describe concrete effects on your work and daily life, and describe your normal and worst days without exaggerating.

Home › Guides › VA Claim Evidence Examples: Nexus Letter, 21-4138 and More

VA claim evidence examples

The fastest way to file a strong claim is to see what strong evidence looks like. Below are sample documents from a made-up veteran, Anthony Sample, with the parts that decide a claim called out. These are illustrations, not forms to copy. Build your own in your own words with the free tools.

Example nexus letter (the wording that matters)

A nexus letter links your condition to service. This is the phrasing VA raters look for.

SAMPLE, FICTIONAL VETERAN

I have reviewed Mr. Sample's service treatment records and current MRI. It is my professional opinion that his lumbar degenerative disc disease is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) caused by his documented in-service lifting injury of March 2011. Rationale: the injury mechanism, continuity of symptoms since service, and imaging findings are consistent with a service-related progression.
R. Okafor, MD, board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

What a rater looks for:

The exact standard: "at least as likely as not" (a 50 percent or greater probability). Vaguer wording is often not enough.
It names the specific in-service event, not a general statement.
A short medical rationale. VA weighs an opinion far more when it explains its reasoning.

Example personal statement (VA Form 21-4138)

Your own words are evidence. Specific and honest beats vague.

SAMPLE, FICTIONAL VETERAN

In March 2011, near FOB Wilson, I injured my lower back lifting artillery rounds during a fire mission and went to the aid station within a few days. Since then the pain has never fully gone away. On a bad week I miss about three days of work, I cannot stand more than 20 minutes, and I can no longer coach my son's baseball team. These are my normal days, not my worst ones.

What a rater looks for:

Ties to the in-service event and to the medical record (the aid-station visit). Consistency wins.
Concrete impact on work and daily life beats "it hurts a lot."
Honest and grounded. Overstating hurts credibility.

Example buddy / lay statement (VA Form 21-10210)

A witness who saw it can corroborate what the records do not show.

SAMPLE, FICTIONAL VETERAN

I served in the same platoon as Anthony Sample. I was there during the March 2011 fire mission when he hurt his back lifting rounds; I saw him drop to one knee and he could barely stand the next morning. Over the deployment I watched him go from the strongest guy in the squad to needing help with his gear. I am describing only what I saw.

What a rater looks for:

A first-hand account of the exact event.
A change over time the witness personally saw.
It sticks to observation, not medical opinion.

What to enter on VA.gov (Form 21-526EZ)

The 'add a condition' screen trips people up. Here is what to type.

SAMPLE, FICTIONAL VETERAN

Condition: Lumbar strain (lower back)
Cause: NEW, began in service
Brief description: Injured lifting artillery rounds, March 2011; chronic pain since.
Approx. start: March 2011 (an estimate is fine)

What a rater looks for:

Use the plain name of the condition; VA matches it for you.
Pick the right cause: NEW, SECONDARY, or WORSENING. For a secondary, that choice tells the rater to look for the connection.
An approximate date is fine. Do not leave it blank.

See all of these annotated, and build your own
Wingman's free See Real Examples tool shows a service record, medical record, nexus letter, DBQ, and more, with every key part highlighted.
Open Wingman free →

Related guides:
All guides How a VA claim works

Education only. Wingman is a free, veteran-built self-help tool. It is not legal advice, not VA-accredited, and it never files anything for you. Every claim turns on your own facts and current VA rules — always confirm anything important with a free accredited VSO (find one at va.gov).