Help With Smr's

[yoggie2]

Can I request a Copy of my SMR's that the VA is in possession of? I don't mean the C-file but actual SMR's they have them hostage at the VARO, I seen them and want a copy before the DRO gets them. I have been told by the VARO once the file reaches the DRO officer I can't get any thing. Is there any way around this?? Thanks.........................

[free_spirit_etc]

I sure don't know. So I am interested in the answers you get. I assumed you got the SMR's when you got the C-file. But I read on here yesterday that you don't.

The RO is supposed to send me "another" copy of my husband's C-file (that I don't think they actually sent the first time. I was hoping to get the SMR's.

Free

Can I request a Copy of my SMR's that the VA is in possession of? I don't mean the C-file but actual SMR's they have them hostage at the VARO, I seen them and want a copy before the DRO gets them. I have been told by the VARO once the file reaches the DRO officer I can't get any thing. Is there any way around this?? Thanks.........................

[Berta]

A vet I know was told his SMRs were burned in the ST Louis fire.

His rep asked me to look into it-

it didnt take .long- the vet had enlisted AFTER the St Louis Fire.

DUH!

I asked the rep to see if the VARO would check again-they did and sent the rep 3 SMRs and said the rest had been burned- double duh-

(No water marks and no charring-plus the vet enlisted AFTER the fire)

I gave the vet a SF 180 and he got his complete SMRs. His claim had been denied and the VA had sent them back to NARA I think.or the VA had never gotten them all.

There is a possibility that your vet rep could see if he could get copies of them from the DRO- the files might probably sit with a DRO for many months anyhow-before the DRO gets to them.

Every vet should try to get their SMRS from NARA BEFORE they file their initial 21-526-

that is why the Mil insists now that active mil leave with copies of them when they are discharged

Edited May 14, 2008 by Berta

[yoggie2]

that is why the Mil insists now that active mil leave with copies of them when they are discharged

[rentalguy1]

Rich....you have to go through St. Louis to get them. The VARO doesn't own those records and only has them on loan from the National Personell Records Center, so they can't make a copy (unless you had a friendly contact on the inside).

[free_spirit_etc]

I am having trouble understanding this. We requested my husband's records from the NPRC. After a significant delay, we were told they couldn't provide them, as the VA had them. I included on my written request for his C-file that we wanted his SMR's.

Now if they don't provide them, as they don't own them - but the NPRC can't provide them because the VA has them - how do you get a copy?

It seems to be somewhat unfair that once you file a claim for Compensation, your records are transferred to prevent you from getting a copy.

We DO have copies of most of the SMR's - but I was trying to get his discharge physical. THe VA states they don't have it. But one of the C&P's discussed the discharge physical.

Free

Rich....you have to go through St. Louis to get them. The VARO doesn't own those records and only has them on loan from the National Personell Records Center, so they can't make a copy (unless you had a friendly contact on the inside).

[Josephine]

Free,

Due to the negligence of the AMC, my records being lost so many times, my service medical and personnel records were placed by one of the technicians in the National Registry.

You may locate them there. To the VA my records are lost, but whenever I want a copy, I know where to acquire them.

Betty