How Do I Initiate A Claim

[bbknor]

I have been seeing the Doc's at Va for 7 years concerning PN in my right leg. I have been placed in a brace do to foot drop caused by the PN. The gal in the clinic says I m SC for the brace. I don't know how that could have happened. I m 0% SC for hearing loss and 0% SC for Cystitis. I know have PN in my left elbow along with 5 otheir issues as I recieved a call today from my physiatrist.

Where should I start and what should I collect to show a service connection.

Thanks for any advice

[LarryJ]

"I have been placed in a brace do to foot drop caused by the PN. The gal in the clinic says I m SC for the brace."

This statement tends to lead me to believe that they are, actually, providing you treatment, for which you will have no "co-pay" due to the fact that they, for some unknown reasoning or decision (and, trust me, the VA CAN come up with "unknown reasoning or decisions") have implied service connection due to or aggravated by something that occurred "in service".

Granted, I have, myself, never encountered such an occurrence..........but, WTH, IT'S THE VA!

You need, very badly, right now, before you go off half-cocked, before you "file a claim" not knowing WHAT claim to file, you NEED TO SEE YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS.

Go to the medical records office at your VA Medical Center and request a copy of ALL of your medical records, from DAY ONE up until the latest date available.

You'll have to sign a "release", and they will then print out your records. In your case they will most likely be extensive if you have not requested them since 7 years ago.

Tell 'em you'll be glad to wait for them to print, that you'll be in the mess hall getting a cup of joe and you'll drop by and pick 'em up in an hour.

Then STUDY them, see what they say, and if you have trouble understanding them, ask questions, either here on hadit.com or with your Service Officer or you Primary Care Physician........but, BEFORE you go filing any claims.....find out what CLAIMS you NEED TO FILE. WHAT CLAIMS that THEY say you are "service connected" for. This person that stated that you are SC'd for the orthosis for your foot drop......she's LOOKIN' AT SOMETHIN' and you need to be looking at that same somethin'!

You may very well have in your possession a "Slam Dunk".

[bbknor]

LarryJ..I have already done this. I collect my records every 2 years. I have also sent off for my services med records a few months ago. I m waiting on both at this time. Yesterday I was suprised to recieve a call on my cell from VA requesting me to come in and see the Physiatrist because of the results from an MRI that they did on me last week. Don't know how they got my cell number but they did. Must have left it with someone there. The physiatrist also happens to be my Neurologists wife. All in the Family?

[rentalguy1]

How to File a Claim For VA Disability