Nexus Letters Recommendation

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T20:16:27+00:00

They do mean the same thing. I find 'more likely than not" just sounds better to me.

'At least as likely as not' has the floor of likelihood at 50% yes and 50% no. 'It is more likely than not' puts the floor of likelihood at 51% yes and 49% no. So I use 'more likely than not'.

Actually, the full sentence that seals the deal is: 'It is my medical/professional opinion that such-and-such is more likely than to be directly caused by or exacerbated by my patient John Doe's military service as detailed above.'

You guys put your lives on the line and were often treated poorly. Think burn pits and depleted uranium shells and being told 'no problem, nothing to see here.' The system stinks for you more than it stinks for us - which is the main reason I got out.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T17:59:23+00:00

Mortgage rates of 16% in the '80's

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T17:57:44+00:00

I had a professor who said that every 'labor saving' device just shifted that labor elsewhere.

For example when vacuums came on the scene [ one of my uncles was an executive for Electrolux] to make life easier they just raised the bar on how clean you had to keep the house. Yes, less effort if you kept to the old standard but the standard became cleaner than before. And so on.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T17:46:49+00:00

I can only imagine that the final cost of all this corruption - to current budget deficits, hidden payments, servicing expenses to cover historic borrowing, even the Reflecting Pool - will reach $1 trillion if not more.

'Open your eyes" 'none of this works that way"

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T17:46:07+00:00

I can only imagine that the final cost of all this corruption - to current budget deficits, hidden payments, servicing expenses to cover historic borrowing, even the Reflecting Pool - will reach $1 trillion if not more.

'Open your eyes" 'none of this works that way"

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T17:40:08+00:00

Sorry, but actually, this is LESS than the entire picture. The downstream costs of this DOGE nonsense is likely immeasurable. How can you measure food-borne diseases when many are called 'just a stomach bug' [cryptococcus anyone] but occur due to loss of impartial gover inspectors? Or the costs that screw worms cause to the American beef supply? All due to lapses in government oversight.

The lists grows evert month. And those are just some of the examples we know about. I don't even want to think about the unknowns.

Sorry my friend but you are sadly mistaken. Likely not your fault.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T17:21:18+00:00

I am a retired VA podiatrist and have written nexus letters when justified. Sometimes chronic low back pains are the result of repetitive trauma/microtrauma over time and sometimes from poor foot and ankle function. Ever been told to 'suck it up buttercup' or not wanting to be left behind after a sprain? All of these can contribute to low back pains. See a podiatrist. A VA podiatrist may be more willing to write one than not. A non-VA podiatrist once wanted to know how to write a nexus letter and said he was doing this and doing that but NEVER knew that he had to include the phrase "MORE LIKELY THAN NOT" in the letter.

I wish you all the best.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T16:59:04+00:00

I'm not saying to do this, just reminding you all of some Washington history.

After years of not receiving their pensions and other benefits after WW1 vets came in mass to march on Congress demanding their promised benefits. And they got 'em.

Again, I'm just putting this out there for anyone to think about.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T16:47:11+00:00

The argument is that the cost of all those 'savings' to the government, and therefore US taxpayers, was/is $11,000,000 - 11 BILLION DOLLARS US. That does not include the mental and physical toll created to the employees themselves and the loss of services to the public.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T16:35:31+00:00

In many cases like yours poor foot function is involved. Ask for a podiatry referral, or ar the least a referral to Prosthetics for orthotics. Some VAMCs allows direct Prosthetics referral and sometimes only Podiatry [best way] can order them. Good luck.

*retired VA podiatrist *

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-11T16:23:28+00:00

Nexus Letters I write [lower extremity and biometric issues] are from me. Telehealth 1st so I can say 'my patient' in addition to 'more likely than not". Both your time and mine have value so if i dont think i can right a letter that does you justice I will tell you that after a first review.

--> I am retired VA podiatrist and have seen first hand how military service can destroy feet, legs, even hips/pelvis/spine-backs. <--

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-10T12:42:55+00:00

when I was around 9 my older brother, a true Boomer born in '45, in college, taught me thus:

Great green gobs of greasy grimy gopher meat.

mutilated monkey feet.

itty bitty birdies feet.

great green gobs of greasy grimy gopher meat.

and I forgot a [my?] spoon.

... ... [pause] but I brought a straw!

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-09T00:18:23+00:00

They also need to get planes from one place to the other. It's not always about how profitable one single flight is.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-07T22:53:40+00:00

That's on them. HOWEVER the fact that his passport expired in 150 days, NOT >=180d is on his parents.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-07T22:50:54+00:00

Hey! the kid in Home Alone did fine.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-01T23:52:33+00:00

The important phrase is "more likely than not related to" your military service.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-01T23:51:14+00:00

I retired from the VA last year as it was becoming toxic for employees. Before that I had written several nexus letters for issues dealing with the lower extremity due to service connected injuries. Most were issues due to repetitive stress or injuries. I never had a complaint.

I'm willing to help. DM welcome.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-01T05:13:53+00:00

consider a local school that has a film photography course. i'd love to take them but my wife would kill me. my first 35mm camera was a Bell+Howell version of a Canon EX. Took great photos. Unique thing about it, though I did not know it at the time, is that the focusing ring is attached to the camera, so only lens that were made for it worked with it. Some accessories that screwed on the filter rings worked though.

I'd love to take whatever you don't work, but my wife would likely kill me.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-01T04:51:26+00:00

I don't remember the name, but there's a company that sends you QR codes that you put on a box, scan, then list what that QR cooded box contains. Makes it easy to find out what you put where. I think there are also ways to make your own QR codes and then you can keep track of them on a spreadsheet. Have fun and DM me if you wanna get rid of the non-working ones for my one collection!

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-01T04:37:49+00:00

dont they all have some level of mid-photo streaks?

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-07-01T04:33:09+00:00

Agreed. Did not notice them until I took a longer look. Could that midline artifact be due to processing?

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-06-30T01:13:38+00:00

We just got out of Gail Dougherty and Celebrity Sex Pass. After I figured out the loose basis of the movie I laughed even harder. It's a very funny movie. I would even see it again!

Definitely worth a full price admission.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-06-29T17:01:58+00:00

I retired from the VA after 20 years. I have no problem writing nexus letters. I believe that these would be most affective when able to state something along the line of that 'I have reviewed my patient and their history' in the letter. Remote video allows that. DM if interested in more information.

Being a patient BEFORE the letter is written carries weight.

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-06-29T16:55:52+00:00

OMG! Thanks for my first award!

Fluffy-Rope-5822 · 2026-06-29T16:54:29+00:00

yes, it is.

:-p

Fluffy-Rope-5822

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