Nexus

VA Terminology Definition

Plain English Definition

The connection or link between your current disability and your military service. Proving nexus is often the hardest part of a VA claim.

Why This Matters

Service connection requires: (1) current disability, (2) in-service event/injury, and (3) NEXUS between them. A nexus letter from a doctor is the most common way to prove this link.

Example

Your nexus for knee arthritis: You injured your knee in the Army (in-service event), you have current knee arthritis (current disability), and a doctor says the arthritis is related to the old injury (nexus).