I recently separated and was a MH tech by trade. I don't know if this will be useful to anyone but per the latest table and rule, all mental health records are now destroyed 5 years after being closed. Previously they were boxed up and sent to FMRC in St. Louis but now they get shredded.
So if you have been seen in MH, ask for a copy when you PCS, separate, retire, or discontinue your care. This will be the record of diagnosis that the VA will want to see if you are going to try to get disability benefits.
Typically the diagnosis and a brief note are put in your medical record but the more details you have, the better your chances are of getting bennies from it.
Keep in mind that you will NOT be given your entire MH record. Due to rules/regs, any psych tests and other admin paperwork are not generally given to patients. The results will be in the provider notes that are given to you though.
And substance abuse records are considered MH records so if you have a diagnosis/treatment, I recommend getting a copy of that also.
For some reason I dont believe this post. Why in the name of god would mental health records be shredded? Why in the name of god would ANY medical records be shredded?
Just doesnt add up. Would the military NOT want to have these records on file in the case that someone with a psych history tries to reenlist?
Originally posted by denise2010gofight: maybe they can use that psycho to do odd jobs ever think about that
Uh...ok...
My point was that this would create a serious problem in enforcing DoD recruiting policy. Persons with major psychiatric diagnoses are barred from enlistment/prior service reenlistment, and depending on the severity of the disorder, a waiver may or may not be recommended.
So, aside from the obvious issue of allowing persons with, for example, schizophrenia to reenlist down the road, in destroying a person's psych/med records, you have effectively made it impossible to present records of past treatment (which are required) when attempting to reenlist. MEPS will ask for records.
Hence, I question the accuracy and validity of the original post.
Finding your military health records are very important. Sometimes they are shipped inside your 201 file and end up in St. Louis. Suggest contacting them. Also suggest that everyone make an entire copy of all their military records, orders, files, etc. for future use in case you become ill from a service-connected disability in the future. The VA's favorite letters start out "WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE"
I received a letter from the VA indicating they could find no medical or personnel records on file for me. My personnel file was still being used by the AFBCMR, but my medical records had been missing since day 1.
I called Beale Air Force Base---which was my last duty station---and lo and behold, my medical records have been sitting there the whole freakin time---no one bothered to ship them to St Louis.
My point is, if you were discharged, filed a VA Disability Compensation claim and get a letter stating there are no medical records on file, contact your last duty station. There's a good chance they still have them. (I was discharged in 2003...meaning my records should have been shipped to St Louis in '05.)
all mental health records are now destroyed 5 years after being closed
This might be true, I was discharged in November of 2003, I called MILLINGTON and ST. LOUIS inquiring about my medical and mental health records, they have given me this answer at both locations <b> "WE HAVE NO FILE OR RECORDS FOR YOU SIR"</b>. I was only able to obtain my personnel records, but I need to find my medical and personnel records a.s.a.p?
Where should I start, since they weren't archived.
Before a Veteran gets out of the military they should make a complete copy of their SMRs or STRS now and Personnel records. Even better they should also put them on CD. When they make their claim they turn one copy into the VA and keep one copy for themselves. Once the VA is done rating their case or receives the originals they send the copies back to the veterans, very helpful. Keep a complete copy of everything you receive, that is very important. Please believe me the VA does have a tendancy to lose things so keep copies of everything and go with the best VSO at your location. Each RO has VSOs and do your research and go with the best at that location.
