VA Disability Resources
Return to the Ellis Clinic VA Disability section for Nexus opinions, DBQs, medical evidence, and related resources.
VA DISABILITY →WHY A WELL-CRAFTED SUMMARY LIST MATTERS
A Roadmap Through the Medical Evidence
A Summary List is more than an index. It organizes the medical record into a clear chronology so the physician can identify the evidence that matters, locate the underlying documentation, and devote more time to medical analysis.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SUMMARY LIST
Make the Important Evidence Easy to Find
A well-crafted Summary List is one of the most important tools in the medical opinion process because it turns a large, often disorganized medical record into a clear chronological picture of the veteran’s history. Rather than forcing the physician to repeatedly search through hundreds or even thousands of pages, the Summary List identifies the significant events, diagnoses, symptoms, examinations, imaging, treatments, military exposures, and other evidence—and shows exactly where each item can be found in the underlying records. This allows the physician to spend more time analyzing the medical evidence and the relationship between the veteran’s condition and military service, rather than simply locating information. Just as importantly, a carefully prepared Summary List helps prevent significant evidence from being overlooked and provides a traceable roadmap back to the original medical documentation. The better organized and more accurate the Summary List is, the more efficiently the physician can evaluate the complete medical history and develop a thorough, well-supported medical opinion.
CREATING YOUR SUMMARY LIST
Creating Your Own Summary List Helps Keep Costs Low
There is no Summary List preparation fee when the veteran provides a properly prepared Summary List. Type the Summary List clearly; it will be attached to the Nexus report. If Ellis Clinic prepares the Summary List, the preparation fee depends on the volume of records.
UP TO 25 PAGESNo FeeEllis Clinic can prepare the Summary List without a preparation fee for record sets up to 25 pages.
OVER 25 PAGES · UP TO 1 INCH$100For more than 25 pages through one inch of records.
EACH ADDITIONAL INCH+$100Each additional inch of records, or portion of an inch. Example: 2.5 inches is treated as 3 inches = $300.
ORGANIZING YOUR RECORDS
Put the Record in an Order the Physician Can Follow
Within each section, place the most recent documents on top. Send only pertinent records and keep the categories below separated and organized.
Before You Mail the Records
Send copies only. Records submitted to Ellis Clinic may be destroyed after processing. Send records only by mail — no fax, email, DVD, or thumb drive. Records that are not organized, or unusually large record sets, can cause delays and increase the Summary List preparation fee.
01ORDER OF RECORDSWithin each section, place the most recent documents on top.
02PROTOCOL FORMPlace your Protocol Form for an Expert Medical Opinion for VA Disability on top.
03CORRESPONDENCEYour correspondence and/or your representative’s correspondence with Ellis Clinic, if applicable.
04DD-214Include a copy of your DD-214.
05VA DECISIONSInclude pertinent VA decisions, with the most recent documents on top.
06ACTIVE-DUTY MEDICAL RECORDSInclude active-duty medical records that mention or relate to the claim.
07POST-SERVICE MEDICAL RECORDSInclude pertinent non-active-duty records, including VA treatment after active duty.
08OPERATIONSInclude pertinent operative reports and surgical records, most recent first.
09TESTS & IMAGINGInclude pertinent X-rays, MRI studies, and other testing. PTSD and other mental-health claims may require a psychological evaluation.
10PHYSICIAN & TREATMENT RECORDSInclude pertinent physician reports, chart notes, hospital records, and therapy records, most recent first.
SUBMITTING YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS
Send Pertinent, Organized Copies by Mail
Send copies only. Records submitted to Ellis Clinic may be destroyed after processing. Send records only by mail — no fax, email, DVD, or thumb drive. Sending only pertinent, well-organized records helps reduce delays and unnecessary Summary List preparation costs.
NEXT STEPS
Continue With Your VA Disability Evaluation
Appointment Information
Review the appropriate Ellis Clinic appointment protocol and record-submission instructions.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION →The Ellis Institute
Explore deeper educational material, Ellis Atlases, AskBotEllis™, and additional Ellis Institute tools.
THE ELLIS INSTITUTE →Preparing Records for a Nexus Opinion?
A clear Summary List and a well-organized medical record help the physician identify the important evidence and evaluate the history efficiently.