Military Medical And Health Records

[allan]

Military Medical and Health Records

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-...ds/medical.html

taken from the archives web page..........

[Veterans who plan to file a claim for medical benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) do not need to request a copy of their military health record from NPRC (MPR).]

I requested my records from the VARO for over 25 years & "NEVER" received a response of any kind.

I finally found this website & requested a copy of my records from them. I received a reply from the archives center that the VARO had all my original records in their position not long after I left service in the mid 70's.

When I finally received my service medical records from the VARO, three years were missing. The three years that would have shown ongoing treatment records for the injuries I'm claiming.

If you did not receive a complete copy of your records when you left service, request your records from the archives center "FIRST" or some of yours may go missing before the DVA sends them to you.

Allan

[Pete53]

I served for over 6 months and the health records except my induction physical have never been found. However once I got to duty station they had everything. I always thought that my medical records never caught up as I was scheduled to go somewhere else and my orders were changed at last minute.

[purple]

Just my 2 cents worth (it worked for my claim though)...If you get your hands on your own records (originals or copies) and only send the VARO copies of what they need that pertains to your particular claim, it helps tremendously! Never send the VARO a copy of your entire SMRs...it's info overload and they likely will not read the entire record; and miss important info.

I went through my SMRs carefully and only sent what they needed and even then used a highlighter. I think it helped quite a bit.

[allan]

Good advice purple.

One problem with highliteing is when the VA needs to make copies, it will show up black. It's better to draw a line under it, all the way out to the edge of the paper. That way you can put a number next to it to include it on your contents front page for reference. When your finished, number each page including your contents page & put the total on the contents page. That way they know at a glance how many was sent. It makes it harder to go loosing the most important evidence you send in.

[purple]

Yes, that's a good idea. I also used "tabs" and tabbed all of my "evidence" that was in my records and annontated each tab on the Table of Contents page at the front of my claim package. I knew I needed to make it as easy for them as possible, yet at the same time submitting as much important evidence as possible.

[deltaj]

Your SMRs will not go back to St Louis until at least two year have passed with no activity on your claim at the regional office.

The National Personnel Records Center lends the originals of service medical records to V.A. when a claim is filed with V.A. I suggest you write V.A. and make a written request for copies of your claims folder to see what service medical records are in the claims folder.

[MDB1968NM]

Yes, that's a good idea. I also used "tabs" and tabbed all of my "evidence" that was in my records and annontated each tab on the Table of Contents page at the front of my claim package. I knew I needed to make it as easy for them as possible, yet at the same time submitting as much important evidence as possible.

Good point Purple!  I was wondering how to go about submitting my initial claim.  I have three PACKED volumes of medical records.  The VA rep mentioned to turn in the entire record.  That is an AWFUL lot of paper to send in.  So what does everyone suggest?  I am new to this and will be using a VSO to assist most likely.  I will be sure to go over everything prior to meeting with the rep though.  Two friends that retired last year stated that they sent in their entire records "just in case".  Not sure which route I should take.  Suggestions???