Saw The C-file

[free_spirit_etc]

I went to the Chicago RO yesterday for my appointment to see my husband's C-file. The letter I got said to bring a photo ID.

The first thing the lady at the desk asked me was "Did you bring the letter?"

No. Was I supposed the bring the letter? I have AN APPOINTMENT.

Yes. In order to see the file you HAVE to bring the letter. That's the only way we will know that YOU are the person we said can SEE the file. (with that "how STUPID can you be" tone of voice)

I pointed out the letter did not indicate that I had to bring it. I had assumed that the PHOTO ID would "prove" I was the person that was entitled to see the file.

I drove 5 HOURS ONE WAY to see the file. I did not appreciate the power game upon my arrival.

But she decided that, despite my stupidity in not bringing the letter I should have KNOWN to bring because how else would they know who I am without the letter, that she would "check" and see if the powers that be would ALLOW me to see the file without the LETTER.

Grrrr...

Then some young girl stumbles out of the office with the C-file - announcing that I don't have to worry - that SHE has a copy of the needed letter that will allow me to see the C-file.

Geez - they believe their own power games.

She announced that I would have exactly one hour to the minute to view the file -- but did let me look through it on my own in her presence.

At first she only had one thin file. I told her that WE had more records than that. So she went back and looked and found out that there were four files total.

She said I could sticky note anything I wanted copies of - and they would "follow up" on them.

But I couldn't find his discharge physical.

We have been asking for over a year for that. We have requested a copy of his C-file -- and made what is called a "limited request" for the discharge physical - because sometimes if a request for files takes a long time - agencies can fill a limited request quicker.

I drove five hours - thinking I will FINALLY get to at least SEE his discharge physical - and read what it says.

I couldn't find it.

She said it would be in the front- and then she said it would be in the back _ actually all his SMRS were out of order. 1996, 1982, 1995, 1971 notes just kind of in there.

We couldn't find any record beyond 1996, though he retired in 1998.

She looked through the dental record to see if it might have been stuck in there by accident.

She told me maybe the Air Force didn't give it to them.

But a couple of his C&P exams MENTION it in THEIR reports.

I think I will send an IRIS and ask them to locate it and send me a copy.

I did find out the case is set for "review" on September 19. She said to try to have everything to them by then.

But she said if I get it in earlier - and let them know it is all in - they will send the file on sooner.

Free

[USMCVeteranChic77]

Free,

I am new here, but I have been dealing with the VA for a long enough time to be mummified in the red tape myself.

I've never been to the Chicago VRO yet... so you're one step ahead of me. (I am in the NW Suburbs of Chicago)

You have my respect for even going to look through the C-File as I can only imagine how frustrating that process is... but I am proud of you for doing that.

Keep your chin up and never give up...

And remember.... give yourself credit for trying.

~Robin

[Chuck75]

If you make a written request--

Cite the FOIA act and duty to assist. This puts a time limit on the VA to respond with the information. Supposedly 20 or so days. If they fail to respond in the appropriate time, there is a method to file a complaint. Supposedly, the VA can be administratively fined for lack of compliance.

If there are items that you know existed, and you suspect that the VA has "lost them"

Make the request for all records, and those specifically.

The question should also be asked as to why you were not shown a complete copy of the "C" file, and where is the rest of it--and why is it not all together.

I also have had problems with the Chicago VA. Many years ago (70's) they screwed up payment for my flight training. At one point, I was over $600 in the hole. (A lot of money for a young family with a new child.) I ended up going to the VA in person to settle the matter. At the time, I worked for a defense contractor(Northrop). I had all the little cues (Such as a picture ID that was honored by DOD, a B1a bomber tie clip, a lapel flag pin, and a very conservative suit and tie) that (on the surface) told VA employees that I knew what I was about. The VA requirement for veteran escort was not mentioned. When all was said and done, The check for past due money was cut, and I had a hand written certificate of entitlement to flight training, authorizing training thru the ATR rating. To get it all done, I had to go all over the building, and into multiple offices on four floors. (Without an escort) No way will that happen today!

I went to the Chicago RO yesterday for my appointment to see my husband's C-file. The letter I got said to bring a photo ID.

The first thing the lady at the desk asked me was "Did you bring the letter?"

No. Was I supposed the bring the letter? I have AN APPOINTMENT.

Yes. In order to see the file you HAVE to bring the letter. That's the only way we will know that YOU are the person we said can SEE the file. (with that "how STUPID can you be" tone of voice)

I pointed out the letter did not indicate that I had to bring it. I had assumed that the PHOTO ID would "prove" I was the person that was entitled to see the file.

I drove 5 HOURS ONE WAY to see the file. I did not appreciate the power game upon my arrival.

But she decided that, despite my stupidity in not bringing the letter I should have KNOWN to bring because how else would they know who I am without the letter, that she would "check" and see if the powers that be would ALLOW me to see the file without the LETTER.

Grrrr...

Then some young girl stumbles out of the office with the C-file - announcing that I don't have to worry - that SHE has a copy of the needed letter that will allow me to see the C-file.

Geez - they believe their own power games.

She announced that I would have exactly one hour to the minute to view the file -- but did let me look through it on my own in her presence.

At first she only had one thin file. I told her that WE had more records than that. So she went back and looked and found out that there were four files total.

She said I could sticky note anything I wanted copies of - and they would "follow up" on them.

But I couldn't find his discharge physical.

We have been asking for over a year for that. We have requested a copy of his C-file -- and made what is called a "limited request" for the discharge physical - because sometimes if a request for files takes a long time - agencies can fill a limited request quicker.

I drove five hours - thinking I will FINALLY get to at least SEE his discharge physical - and read what it says.

I couldn't find it.

She said it would be in the front- and then she said it would be in the back _ actually all his SMRS were out of order. 1996, 1982, 1995, 1971 notes just kind of in there.

We couldn't find any record beyond 1996, though he retired in 1998.

She looked through the dental record to see if it might have been stuck in there by accident.

She told me maybe the Air Force didn't give it to them.

But a couple of his C&P exams MENTION it in THEIR reports.

I think I will send an IRIS and ask them to locate it and send me a copy.

I did find out the case is set for "review" on September 19. She said to try to have everything to them by then.

But she said if I get it in earlier - and let them know it is all in - they will send the file on sooner.

Free

[Pete53]

If you don't have a big "C" File and they have their shiest together 1 hour may be reasonable. If the file is out of order and messed up perhaps it would be in order to request that the file be arrange in proper order by date and and by division so that someone could make an intelligent assessment of the records. It appears to me that someone at the VA has rifled through the files taken out parts and than just slopped them back in.

I think that you should ask that a supervisor look at the file and get back to you. That is not unreasonable and the file should be in order for futher review don't you think?

[free_spirit_etc]

Hey! Welcome aboard! When I asked for an appointment they told me it would be much better if they just sent me the file - since I was so far away. But we had already waited 7 months for the file...or at least the discharge physical. And when my husband died they told me they were sending the files anyway and that I would get them in 30 days. Over 30 days later they had NOT sent the files - then I was informed that I had to fill out a NEW request - as they could no longer honor my husband's request. And that it would take AT LEAST six months to get the file, any copies, OR an appointment.

I sent in another request asking for:

1. The complaint C-file.

2. Since it would take over 6 months to recieve that - and since my husband had requested the C-file, and in the very least, a copy of his disharge physical MORE than 6 months before he died, that they would expedite the request for the Discharge Physical and send that as quickly as possible.

3. An appointment to see his C-file.

I actually found Chicago - in general (as a City) very nice. I live near St. louis. I was going to take the metra train in from Joilet. Couldn't find the dang train station in Joliet (how a city can hide a train station - I will never know) I drove to downtoan chicago and had no trouble finding the VA at all.

Free

They gave me an appointment in less than 6 months though.

Free,

I am new here, but I have been dealing with the VA for a long enough time to be mummified in the red tape myself.

I've never been to the Chicago VRO yet... so you're one step ahead of me. (I am in the NW Suburbs of Chicago)

You have my respect for even going to look through the C-File as I can only imagine how frustrating that process is... but I am proud of you for doing that.

Keep your chin up and never give up...

And remember.... give yourself credit for trying.

~Robin

[free_spirit_etc]

Some good points. I was thinking we used the FOIA form when we requested the file last year. We just kept getting form letters every so often (responses) that told us that they were working on it - and that they fill the resquests in the order they are recieved.

Yep. Even with a letter from a congressman and a senator asking the VA to speed up the claim process because of my husband's terminal illness - they couldn't even send him a copy of his discharge physical until it was his turn.

I think it has to do with the idea that they really don't see the vet getting copies of their files as having anything to do with the claim.

They think THEY look through the files - and whether the vet has access to them has nothing to do with the granting of the claim.

Free

If you make a written request--

Cite the FOIA act and duty to assist. This puts a time limit on the VA to respond with the information. Supposedly 20 or so days. If they fail to respond in the appropriate time, there is a method to file a complaint. Supposedly, the VA can be administratively fined for lack of compliance.

If there are items that you know existed, and you suspect that the VA has "lost them"

Make the request for all records, and those specifically.

The question should also be asked as to why you were not shown a complete copy of the "C" file, and where is the rest of it--and why is it not all together.

I also have had problems with the Chicago VA. Many years ago (70's) they screwed up payment for my flight training. At one point, I was over $600 in the hole. (A lot of money for a young family with a new child.) I ended up going to the VA in person to settle the matter. At the time, I worked for a defense contractor(Northrop). I had all the little cues (Such as a picture ID that was honored by DOD, a B1a bomber tie clip, a lapel flag pin, and a very conservative suit and tie) that (on the surface) told VA employees that I knew what I was about. The VA requirement for veteran escort was not mentioned. When all was said and done, The check for past due money was cut, and I had a hand written certificate of entitlement to flight training, authorizing training thru the ATR rating. To get it all done, I had to go all over the building, and into multiple offices on four floors. (Without an escort) No way will that happen today!

[free_spirit_etc]

Good idea Pete. His C-file is four folders full.

But, yes, I think - especially considering the fact that we have requested the discharge physical SPECIFICALLY several times for over a year, and I drove a 10 hour round trip to be able to at least see it and read it - the fact that neither the VA person nor I could even FIND it in the file is a problem.

So maybe I can request that they put the file in order, and give me another appointment to view it - and also send me a copy of the discharge physical as soon as possibe.

Free

If you don't have a big "C" File and they have their shiest together 1 hour may be reasonable. If the file is out of order and messed up perhaps it would be in order to request that the file be arrange in proper order by date and and by division so that someone could make an intelligent assessment of the records. It appears to me that someone at the VA has rifled through the files taken out parts and than just slopped them back in.

I think that you should ask that a supervisor look at the file and get back to you. That is not unreasonable and the file should be in order for futher review don't you think?