Nexus Statement Request
Written by: You write this letter, then your doctor writes the nexus statement based on it.Related forms: D2582, D2051, D2020
This is a guide onlyWe do not collect or store anything you write. Have your statements reviewed by an advocate before submitting to DVA.
When you need thisWhen you are lodging an Initial Liability claim (D2582, D2051, or D2020) and need your doctor to explain how your condition is connected to your military service.
A nexus statement is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a DVA claim. It is a medical opinion from your treating doctor that explains how your condition was caused by, or made worse by, your military service. Your doctor needs specific information from you to write a strong one. This letter template helps you provide that information clearly.Your doctor may not be familiar with DVA claims or Statements of Principles (SoPs). This letter gives them the context they need.
What DVA assessors generally look for
- DVA generally considers nexus statements that address the relevant Statement of Principles (SoP) factors to be the most useful.
- A statement that includes clinical reasoning — not just "I believe this is service-related" — carries more weight in the assessment process.
- DVA looks for a clear connection between specific service events and the diagnosed condition.
- Statements from treating clinicians who have an ongoing relationship with the veteran are valued because they have direct clinical knowledge.
Section-by-Section Guide
Work through each section. Answer each prompt in your own words.1
Your details
Why this section mattersYour doctor needs to know who you are and reference your DVA file if you have one.
Questions to answer in this section- What is your full name?
- Do you have a DVA File Number / Card Number? (If not, leave this blank — DVA will assign one when your claim is received.)
- What is the best way for DVA to contact you? (Phone, email, or postal address.)
2
Your condition
Why this section mattersYour doctor needs to confirm the diagnosis and use the correct medical terminology.
Questions to answer in this section- What condition are you claiming for? Use the name your doctor has given you.
- When were you first diagnosed?
- Who diagnosed you? (GP, specialist, hospital.)
3
When symptoms started
Why this section mattersDVA needs to understand the timeline from service to symptoms to diagnosis.
Questions to answer in this section- When did you first notice symptoms?
- Were you still serving when symptoms started, or had you already left the ADF?
- Did you seek medical help at the time? If not, why not? (Many veterans delay seeking help — explain this.)
4
Service events and exposures
Why this section mattersThis is the heart of your request. Your doctor needs to understand what happened during your service that you believe caused or worsened your condition.
Questions to answer in this section- What specific events, duties, or exposures during your service do you believe caused or worsened your condition?
- When and where did these occur? (Dates, locations, units, deployments.)
- How long were you exposed or affected? (One incident, repeated over months, ongoing throughout service.)
- Were there any formal incident reports, medical records, or unit records from the time?
Writing tipBe as specific as you can. Instead of "I did a lot of heavy lifting", describe "From 2005 to 2008 at 3RAR, daily infantry duties included carrying loads of 30-40kg over rough terrain during field exercises, typically 4-6 times per year for 2-3 weeks at a time."
5
What you are asking your doctor to address
Why this section mattersYour doctor needs to know exactly what DVA requires in their statement.
Questions to answer in this section- Ask your doctor to confirm your diagnosis in writing.
- Ask your doctor to explain, in their clinical opinion, how your condition is connected to the service events you described.
- If you know the relevant Statement of Principles (SoP) factors for your condition, include them. (You can find SoPs at rma.gov.au — or ask your doctor if they are familiar with them.)
- Ask your doctor to explain their clinical reasoning — what evidence supports the connection between your service and your condition.
Tips
- Book a longer appointment with your doctor (at least 30 minutes) to discuss this.
- Bring this letter and any service records you have to the appointment.
- If your doctor is not familiar with DVA claims, explain that they just need to give their honest clinical opinion about the link between your service and your condition.
- Your doctor does not need to guarantee the claim will succeed — they just need to explain the medical connection as they see it.
- If your GP is not comfortable writing this, ask for a referral to a specialist who can.
- Consider looking up the relevant Statement of Principles (SoP) at rma.gov.au before your appointment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Giving your doctor too little information — they cannot write a strong opinion if they do not know what happened during your service.
- A nexus statement that just says "I believe this is service-related" without clinical reasoning — DVA needs to understand why the doctor holds that opinion.
- Not mentioning the relevant SoP factors — if the statement does not address the specific medical criteria, DVA may need to request more information, which delays your claim.
- Asking a doctor who has never treated you — a treating clinician who knows your history is in a stronger position to comment.
- Not including a timeline from service events to symptoms to diagnosis.
What to do next
This is a guide only. We do not collect or store any information. Always verify with DVA directly or with a qualified advocate.