|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Military.com Forums Veteran's Issues Missing Medical Records Open Discussion, ask your missing medical records questions here...|
Go
|
New
|
Find
|
Notify
|
Tools
|
Reply
|
|
Lead Moderator, Veterans & Disability Forums |
There are testing new features in limited areas first. I can only get my prescription information also. I think they use Richmond as a test area. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
No, we're not in Texas. Incompetence has no bounds in government work.
When they're not lying about it being missing, they seem very apologetic about "losing" the file. Meanwhile we sit here singing "If They Only Had Brains" (with apologies to the lyricist of The Wizard of Oz). |
|||
|
Member |
I don't know how much you have tried to do yet, but it MIGHT be a good tactic to ask for a copy of your C file in writing under the freedom of information act. I have resorted to doing this often, I have an update request pending now. One of the big advantages is that in case they "lose" mine (hard to do, it is 6 inches thick) I can foil thier tricks by giving them the copy they furnished me earlier!
I have found that asking them to find something in person or on the phone or even emailing them on their site, often gets a "blow you off" answer without even looking for what you inquired about.
|
|||
|
|
Member |
Thanks Dave, if you find they spread the access, let us all know, ok?
QUOTE] There are testing new features in limited areas first. I can only get my prescription information also. I think they use Richmond as a test area.[/QUOTE] |
|||
|
|
Lead Moderator, Veterans & Disability Forums |
I check about once a week. When it is online, I will share.
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
You can find My Healthy Vet HereMy Healthy Vet Here
Its up and running good for script right now but they tell me more is comming. You can enter you own info on many subjects but cant access you records yet just scripts and order them |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Thanks. We'll try that.
The VA called several times to tell us the file was missing. It's amusing when they say "Oh no, it's not lost" only to hear the names of the various VA hacks who told us it was missing. They seem to get a bit flustered with that information. The VA doesn't have the original file anyway, so it's not like it's a completely lost cause. But I like the idea of the FOIA request. Is there a form for this or is it a DIY thing?
|
|||
|
|
Member |
I have never found a form, just a letter requesting SPECIFIC files (Like EVERYTHING in your files pertaining to me). I think you have to say the magic words Freedom of Information Request, and be sure you sign it.
|
|||
|
|
Member |
If you have not sent your request off yet, I found this on a VA website:
How can I make a FOIA request to VA -- do I need to fill out any forms? VA requires that a FOIA request be in writing and signed by the requester. The request must reasonably describe the records so that it may be located with a reasonable amount of effort. State your willingness to pay applicable fees or provide a justification to support a fee waiver. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to contact you. Write Freedom of Information Act Request on the envelope. There are no special forms required for use in submitting a FOIA Request. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
I don't know how it happened, but the VA finally came through and got most of the determinations right the first time around. Wonders never cease! The process was worse than watching sausage being made, but at least it was worthwhile in the end. Hoorah!
As for the C file, who knows where it was/is, I just know they made the right decision and I'm not going to question it. |
|||
|
|
"Has Been 5" Lead Moderator Sound Off Forums  |
You do not need FOIA to order your own records. That law was passed to gain information other than your own. I suggest you go to your VSO and request what you need. So at this time I would like to remind everyone, there is a lot of un-needed data in Claims Files that you would not use. There is great expense in copying many files due to the volume of paper, less expense on others due to less paper. That is why I give every one of my clients a copy of what we did that visit and strongly advise them to keep it. VA is already painfully behind on claims and if everyone asked for a copy of their file... Whew! |
|||
|
|
Member |
if you keep copies of everything that is filed (my vso gives me a copy and writes PERSONAL COPY on the top, so i don't forget and give it away) you don't need to have them copy it.
also, u can just go to the records window / room at the va where you go, and get copies of all the medical notes / visits they have. i usually try to do this every month, just so that i have current med records. as for anythign else. it is good idea to write to the records archive in st.louis and request full copies of your military records if you don't have them, or have partial. i've needed mine more than once from a 20 year + career. |
|||
|
|
Member |
Dave, while I agree that it is with great expense of time and money to obtain a copy of your C file, it also is a sure fire way to avoid the "can't find your record" that the Houston RO pulled on me, not once but several times. I know of no other way to keep them honest.
They held up a claim for months because they "were unable to locate my service medical records" I had a copy of my C file, and my entire 20 years of service medical records were clearly in their file, and I was able to put that claim back on track. Again, they maintained that my Topeka KS VA medical records could not be obtained, that the Topeka VA would not give them up! I contacted the Topeka VA and they maintained that they had never received a request. When I got my C file copy, I found that the Topeka VA records had been in my C file for years! Another reason for obtaining your file, when I looked mine over, there were no less than 18 pages of another veterans health records in my file! Just in the last month, the RO told my Senator that they had disapproved my PTSD claim because there was never a diagnosis of PTSD in my file. I was able to provide my senator with not only one, but THREE diagnosis of PTSD, ALL WITH THE C FILE logo printed by Houston RO on the documents. You may recall the RO also maintained just a couple of months ago that after three submissions of a NOD, they had no record of having received it. I pointed out that they had acknowledged receipt of it in letters to me, they said that made no difference, it was not there now, and my case was dead because the year had elapsed. My copies of the NOD from my C File again sent to my senator was the only reason my claim is again active. I have submitted 10 buddy statements verifying my stressor. The regional office refuses to tell me if any of them made it into my C file! With their history of "losing" things, I just recently sent for a copy of my C file for the last two years, so I can see what they have lost or not lost. Keeping a copy of every paper is important, I have done that, but that is of little value when the RO answer is that they have lost it. Sorry to disagree Dave, but I would have never got to my 60 percent rating had I NOT asked for and received my C file, as you can see from the above, it has saved my butt numerous times. I am sure that the volume of my C file has something to do with it, they are just plain too lazy to look thru all that junk for a document, it is easier for them to say they can't find something and pitch my claim into the "hold for missing records" pile. I would sure love for them to give the veteran email internet access to their files. Simple to do, and it would eliminate a large staff of people running off paper copies and sending them out. Then again, I suspect the job justification mentality is working against something so simple that would eliminate many peoples jobs. |
|||
|
|
Member |
In the 80's and 90's I fought the Chicago VARO, the worst VARO in the nation, for a claim. IMO,
If I had not requested my C-file, they(VA) would still be denying pocession of pertinent records to my claim....... Even though they were in my C-file, when I re-submitted them, they were considered "new evidence" to win an appeal. Not everyone should request their C-file, especially if they don't know what to do with it. I requested mine out of desperation and countless denials by the VA stating there was no evidence, even though I submitted it. It was so big it cost 15 dollars to mail it to me, but the evidence 'was' there in my C-file, I just had to find it myself. |
|||
|
|
"Has Been 5" Lead Moderator Sound Off Forums |
Feel free to disagree. That is what America is all about. However going through your VSO should nip most problems in the bud. Not all, just most. If all veterans order their files, it would be a mess and costs will be adjusted in other areas where VA needs money. My remarks were to only order what is needed, if needed. Much material in the Claims Folder will be of no use to the veteran, it will still cost the same for a worker to copy it and mail it. I have reviewed several files who had other peoples medical records enclosed. That did not help, or hurt my client, who really hurt was the other veteran. I never knew if VA linked the records with the right veteran or not, due to privacy issues. If a veteran wishes to review their Claims Folder, all they need to do is make a request and VA will allow them to review the entire file. It must be done in a VARO. When you review the file it will be with a VA employee who can answer questions while you are there. Please remember, I am not a VA employee, just a veterans organization representative. |
|||
|
|
Member |
I would much prefer to look at the file at the RO, but was told that I may have to wait for days in line to do that, AFTER having to make a 700 mile round trip. Another question Dave, I get conflicting answers, would I be able to see the actual file, or just a computer screen of the scanned documents?
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
My husband's VSO has copies of the claim, and so does my husband. Since the VA made a determination, I'm assuming they found the C file. It's kind of a moot point now. But it's very important that a veteran keep copies of everything, and if possible get a safe deposit box to keep one copy in. You just never know what could happen. Hoorah.
|
|||
|
|
"Has Been 5" Lead Moderator Sound Off Forums |
You need to schedule an appointment. Usually VA has contact offices in selected cities where the file will be shipped to for your actual physical review. For example in Ohio the file can be transferred to Columbus or Cincinnati. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Great message Dave.
As for me, my med records were and are still are missing from Vietnam...I have VA letters that describe each hospital I was sent to because for some reason I still kept them... For my claim, I remained persistant for more than 2.5 years saying the same thing along with weekly visits to the VA medical doctors..I do have 2 purple hearts that seemed to help me substantiate my claims... It is a long road without the proper records.. Through my PTSD group interactions I have discovered there is no guarantee as to results favorable to the veteran even when the records are discovered...There are two vets from my combat PTSD group that have been persistant. One of them filed claims for 4 years until he was granted 100%. Another one tried for 11 years until he got what he deserved..Just because he was a driver and saw action beyond what one can imagine made it difficult... Being constantly seen by a VA medical doctor every 2 or 3 weeks for more than a year seemed to help combat veterans in my group and I followed their footsteps...Feeling better was first on the list...Everything else just fell into place...Just my 2cents.. Dave, thanks for your experience and insight... This message has been edited. Last edited by: 15750091, |
|||
|
| Previous Topic | Next Topic | powered by eve community | Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
