VBA may ask you to provide a medical opinion. Any medical opinion you provide must be unbiased and based on evidence and sound clinical decision making. It must be well supported, clear, and include a sound rationale that discusses relevant examination findings, including medical records.

You will state your conclusion using legally recognized phrases like these that are used in medical opinion documentation protocols:

• _____ is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) caused by or a result of______.
• _____ is less likely than not (less than a 50 percent probability) caused by or a result of_____.

However, it is not acceptable to use equivocal terms such as "might," "may be," or "probably" as part of your opinion.

View a sample medical opinion.