The Big Question?

[cvsp]

I have my original SMRs. After reading a post by purple in here, I went through and organized mine as they were a mess after being taken apart so many times for copying.

I am noticing that the copy that the VSO had made me is not that clear and out of skew as far as time-line. I also noticed that a couple of pages that I feel might be important are missing.

I am at this point thinking of either making another better copy or just handing the over the the dreaded VA as I honestly think getting the actual medical records into the c-file would benefit me. More so then the copy.

Obviously I would send them by registered mail or hand-carry them, but wanted other opinions before I do such.

I would obviously make a complete and good quality copy of them for myself.

[pacmanx1]

cvsp, Please be very careful not to alter your records. If you can't understand them just make a copy of them, and comment on the date and assessment of the record on a VA form 4138, It would be just your opinion and not part of the original assessment. Remember you have other SMRs floating around and you never know where they may end up. If they in some way get connected to your records and VA then get an altered copy it may seem fishy. I may be wrong again but I would put everything by date from oldest to current, that way when you address any issue it would be easier to find. It may take you a while to remember where things are located as issues but it helps me because I forget a lot and my concentration is horrible but reading things over and over again sometimes I catch things better.

you said

I will try to make a better copy and if there is something that I cannot read on the copies I will make a note of it on the copy.

Pete992

[cvsp]

Pete,

Thanks for the advice. I would never alter the records. I was saying that I could make notes or something being that I could read them on the originals a little better. Are you saying that I should not do such on the actual copies but on form 4138? Makes sense to me. I think I might tab the SMRs and then reference the tabs on 4138. Does that make sense?

[pacmanx1]

OK, that makes sense. Remember VA has doctors on staff and if they don't understand something they will ask the doctors. If they can't read something they will try to use other records in your file.

Pete992

[cvsp]

I am mostly worried about my ETS physical. The notes section It is very faint, even hard to read the original but you can make it out. I will have to see how the copy comes out.

[Meddac]

OK, that makes sense. Remember VA has doctors on staff and if they don't understand something they will ask the doctors. If they can't read something they will try to use other records in your file.

Pete992

We have what? I hope for all thats honorable that you are talking about the VAMC's.

[cvsp]

We have what? I hope for all thats honorable that you are talking about the VAMC's.

I think he was referring to the raters having doctors to call on if they need help with medical records?