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VA MEDICAL EVIDENCE CONSULTANT

Department: Veteran Medical Consulting Arm

Reports To: Director of Medical Consulting

FLSA Status: Exempt | Full-Time W-2

Location: Remote / Hybrid — specific arrangement based on candidate location and experience tier

Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience, credentials, and assigned scope

POSITION OVERVIEW

The VA Medical Evidence Consultant is a core veteran-facing role in Xterra Health's Veteran Medical Consulting Arm (VMCA), helping veterans understand the strength of their medical evidence and build the strategic roadmap they need to support a stronger VA disability claim. This role is built for people who live and breathe VA disability rating criteria: the 38 CFR Part 4 rating schedule (VASRD), C&P examination standards, DBQ requirements, and the evidentiary theories (direct, secondary, presumptive, and aggravation service connection) that determine whether a claim succeeds or stalls.

Important clarification: Xterra Health is a veteran medical evidence and consulting organization, not a law firm, VSO, or VA-accredited claims agent practice. Our consultants evaluate medical evidence and educate veterans on the rating system; we do not file claims, submit forms to the VA, act as a veteran's representative or power of attorney before VA, or guarantee any rating outcome. Consultants with VSO, claims agent, or attorney accreditation are valued for the depth of regulatory fluency they bring to this work, not for performing accredited representation as part of this job.

The role spans a broad range of scope depending on the background a consultant brings on day one. Some consultants begin in a foundational capacity, handling scheduling, structured intake, and CRM documentation while developing toward a full caseload under direct mentorship. Others step directly into full independent case analysis, building written strategy roadmaps and evaluating medical evidence for veterans from their first week.

The best-qualified candidates bring both deep familiarity with the VA disability claims process, such as former VSO representative or accredited claims agent experience, and a licensed medical or clinical background, such as a former military medic or corpsman. That combination allows a consultant to handle the full spectrum of the role independently: reading a rating decision, a combined ratings calculation, or a C&P exam finding with the same fluency as a DBQ, and translating that analysis into a clear, veteran-facing strategy roadmap grounded in both regulatory and clinical realities.

Placement within the pay band, incentive structure, and scope of responsibility is determined by the Director of Medical Consulting and HR based on demonstrated experience and credentials. This is documented internally and reviewed at defined checkpoints; it does not change the external job title.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

Operational & Intake Foundation

• Manage the consultation calendar: scheduling inbound calls, walk-ins, and referrals from the Veteran Care Center and providers
• Conduct structured intake: current combined VA rating, service history, prior claims and appeals activity (including any Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or Board activity the veteran has pursued), and primary concerns
• Pre-populate CRM case records and confirm appointments so every consultation starts with full context
• This scope is typically the entry point for consultants developing toward a full caseload, not a separate role

Case Analysis & Strategy Delivery

• Review each veteran's VA ratings history, rating decisions, denial letters, service treatment records, and available medical evidence
• Assess conditions for potential service connection under direct, secondary, presumptive (including PACT Act and Agent Orange exposure frameworks), and aggravation theories
• Identify evidence gaps: missing nexus letters, undertreated conditions, inadequate or outdated DBQs, insufficient lay or buddy statements
• Build a clear, written strategy roadmap: what evidence to pursue, in what order, and why, so the veteran or their chosen representative can act on it
• Explain the VASRD rating criteria, combined ratings math (VA math), TDIU, and SMC in plain language a non-clinical, non-legal audience can act on

Medical Evidence Review

• For consultants with a licensed medical or clinical credential, evaluate medical documentation, DBQ content, and C&P exam findings for clinical adequacy alongside claims strategy
• Flag medical evidence gaps that a clinical background can identify before a nexus referral: undertreated conditions, inconsistent findings, exam quality concerns, or documentation that would not withstand VA scrutiny under current 38 CFR standards
• Bring clinical fluency to the explanation of medical concepts, C&P exam expectations, and evidence standards for veterans

Escalation Handling & Quality Contribution

• At senior scope, receive escalated cases requiring advanced regulatory analysis or veteran sensitivity
• Conduct random quality reviews of case documentation as directed
• Identify recurring quality issues, such as patterns of insufficient nexus documentation or misapplied rating criteria, and communicate patterns with recommended interventions
• Contribute to onboarding and coaching of consultants developing toward full scope

Service Recommendations & Referral Pathway

• Recommend the VA Evidence Roadmap
• Identify nexus-ready veterans and facilitate warm handoffs to the Provider Relations team for independent medical opinion and nexus letter development
• Document every consultation thoroughly in the CRM: summary, strategy, recommended actions, follow-up triggers

All strategy roadmaps and evidence recommendations are educational and evidence-focused. Veterans remain free to pursue their claim independently, through a VSO, or through their own accredited representative or attorney; Xterra Health does not submit claims paperwork to VA or act in a representational capacity on any veteran's behalf.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Demonstrated operational excellence in a high-volume, client-facing environment; internal promotes from the Veteran Care Center in good standing are a strong entry pathway
• Genuine connection to the military community: veteran, military spouse, Gold Star family, or someone with direct personal experience navigating the VA disability claims process
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to make complex rating criteria and medical concepts feel manageable to a non-expert audience
• Willingness to work in-office in Salem during the initial ramp phase for consultants entering at the foundation tier
• Comfortable working in a structured, productivity-driven environment with clear weekly targets

Preferred (advances tier placement and pay)

• Working knowledge of 38 CFR Part 3 and Part 4, the VASRD, and C&P examination standards
• Current or former VA accreditation as a Claims Agent, or prior VSO Representative experience (accreditation is valued for the regulatory depth it demonstrates; this role does not involve accredited representation before VA)
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with VA disability claims, rating decisions, and appeals pathways (Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, Board of Veterans' Appeals)
• A licensed medical or clinical credential, such as a former military medic, corpsman, EMT, or similar background; candidates combining VA claims expertise with a clinical credential are best positioned for full-spectrum scope and top-of-band pay
• Familiarity with presumptive condition frameworks (PACT Act, Agent Orange, Gulf War, burn pit exposure) and secondary service connection theory
• Military service or immediate family connection to the veteran community
• Experience with VBMS, GHL, Monday.com, Acuity, or similar CRM and scheduling platforms

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Base Salary: Based on experience, credentials, and assigned scope; specific figures provided during the offer process
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance: Coverage effective the first full month following 30 days of employment. Xterra Health covers 75% of monthly premiums for employee-only coverage.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Eligible to enroll beginning the first full month following 90 days of employment. Xterra Health matches 100% of contributions up to 4% of eligible compensation. All employer match dollars are immediately vested, no vesting schedule.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off: Subject to manager approval and operational needs.

At Xterra Health, we empower veterans with the medical evidence they need to access the care, benefits, and support they've earned. We strive to become the nation's leader in veteran healthcare advocacy and disability services. We build teams that reflect that mission.