Services Offered
Independent Psychological Evaluations, DBQs, and Nexus Letters for VA Mental Health Claims
Mental Health Nexus Letters provides the independent clinical evidence a VA mental health claim needs: a psychological evaluation, a completed DBQ, and a nexus letter, all from a licensed doctoral psychologist, all by secure telehealth, all for one flat fee. We serve veterans in 44 states plus Washington, DC. Appointments are typically available within one week, and your documents are delivered about one week after the evaluation.
One flat fee. No add-ons.
Evaluation, DBQ, and Nexus Letter
Includes the records review, the telehealth evaluation with a licensed psychologist, the completed PTSD or Mental Disorders DBQ, and the nexus letter. This is the right choice for a new claim, a secondary claim, a supplemental claim after a denial, or a rating increase. If your claim is denied after using our evaluation and a rebuttal statement is needed, it is included at no additional cost.
$850
$750
What is not included
Nothing is billed beyond the fees above. Independent evaluations are not billable to insurance and are not reimbursed by the VA. Payment in full is due before your appointment is scheduled. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed, carry a $100 rescheduling fee.
What you receive
Every evaluation starts with a records review. Before your appointment, your psychologist reviews your DD-214, service and medical records, prior VA decisions, and C&P exam reports so the evaluation and the written opinion are grounded in your actual history. You then receive three documents.
Independent psychological evaluation
A 40 to 60 minute structured clinical interview by secure video, covering your military history, symptoms, daily functioning, work history, and treatment.
Completed DBQ
The VA's PTSD or Mental Disorders Disability Benefits Questionnaire, completed and signed, documenting your diagnosis and current severity.
Nexus letter
A written opinion, using the VA's "at least as likely as not" standard, connecting your condition to service or to a service-connected condition, with the clinical rationale and the signing psychologist's credentials.
The three situations we help with
Which service you need depends on where your claim stands. Most veterans fall into one of these three situations, and the same $850 evaluation covers each of them.
Increasing an existing rating
Establishing direct service connection
Secondary service connection
If you are already service-connected for a mental health condition and your symptoms have worsened, a current DBQ documenting today's severity is the key evidence for an increase.
If you have a mental health condition that began in or was caused by service and it is not yet service-connected, the evaluation, DBQ, and nexus letter together establish the diagnosis, its severity, and its link to service.
If a mental health condition developed because of a condition that is already service-connected, such as chronic pain, tinnitus, or sleep apnea, the nexus letter connects the two.
Conditions we evaluate
PTSD, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma and to non-combat stressors; major depressive disorder and other depressive disorders; generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and other anxiety disorders; adjustment disorder; and mental health conditions that developed secondary to a service-connected physical condition. We do not provide opinions on medical conditions, even when they are claimed as secondary to a mental health condition; those require a medical provider.
TDIU letters
If your service-connected mental health condition prevents you from keeping substantially gainful employment, a TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) letter provides the psychological opinion on employability that supports VA Form 21-8940. Our TDIU letter includes a full records review and is $750.
Who completes your evaluation
Founded by Dr. Frank J. Bevacqua, PhD, Licensed Psychologist
Every evaluation is completed and signed by a licensed doctoral psychologist on our team. The practice was founded by Dr. Frank J. Bevacqua, PhD, Licensed Psychologist (Arizona #4325), PSYPACT Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (#10829), who has completed more than 2,000 independent psychological evaluations for veterans. The practice is independent and not affiliated with the VA.
Ready to begin, or not sure which service you need?
Email DrB@mentalhealthnexusletters.com or call 480-828-0020. We will confirm we can serve your state and tell you exactly what to send.