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

[Jayg]

In my case, I had Hospital records from my first enlistment at Ft. Knox (1974-77) but unfortunately, much of my treatment was at the clinics, including a head injury, and I never got those records nor can they seem to be found now.

Then in my second hitch, I had to leave my records for a profile assignment. That was in 1980 and the records were lost. They remained that way until 2005 when, following many requests for records, they miraculously appeared in my mailbox one day. (which was good because they contained two items effecting my condition today).

So I'm about ready to run another request through again and hoe something more turns up.

[LarryJ]

As a "soon-to-be" VSO (and, hopefully, a good one), I'd really like to sit down with the claimant and fill out the POA's, etc. And, then, request ALL their SMR's, DD214, private med recs, statement(s)-in-support-of (buddy statements), SSA records, etc. ALL of the "stuff" that I have learned the hard way that the VA is gonna wind up asking for in their SOC's and SSOC's. Highlighting the pertinent portions of all these records, with accompaning Post-It-Notes. And not sending in the B.S.

Besides making the records easier for the VA personnel to deal with (they have enough to do without having to go thru hundreds of pages to find the 3 pertinent pages), it will make it easier for me to tell if the claimant ACTUALLY has a claim, and then, and only then, can I council them as to their options.

And then, and ONLY then, packaging it up and sending it in to the VARO, meanwhile retaining a copy of everything sent in, with the same highlited portions.

I dunno, maybe I'm all wrong. But, some kind of sanity must be created out of the insanity of the system as it now stands.

BTW, I start my training this week. Pray for me that I can "endeavor to persevere" and actually be of help.

[JamesBreckenridge]

THIS!!!!

Speaking as one of those VA personnel!

Larry has exactly the right idea. I need just enough evidence to show the problem existed in service, ideally with complaints in and after service (to establish chronicity). That establishes service connection, and then it's just a matter of the C&P exam to establish an evaluation. Send me everything, but tab and mark up the stuff I need to see for your claim.

(snip)

Besides making the records easier for the VA personnel to deal with (they have enough to do without having to go thru hundreds of pages to find the 3 pertinent pages), it will make it easier for me to tell if the claimant ACTUALLY has a claim, and then, and only then, can I council them as to their options.

[Papa]

About two weeks ago I ask the VA for the reports on my PTSD and Tinnitus exams. Well I did not expect to get them for maybe 2 or 3 months, I got them yesterday, and I'm in shock B) . The PTSD report clearly links my over-eating to my PTSD. This should link to my Chronic Sleep Apnea and other issues. Has anyone used the VA's own report to support a claim?

Maybe, it pays to be nice to the 1-800-827-1000 people.

Papa

[Jayg]

As a "soon-to-be" VSO (and, hopefully, a good one), I'd really like to sit down with the claimant and fill out the POA's, etc. And, then, request ALL their SMR's, DD214, private med recs, statement(s)-in-support-of (buddy statements), SSA records, etc. ALL of the "stuff" that I have learned the hard way that the VA is gonna wind up asking for in their SOC's and SSOC's. Highlighting the pertinent portions of all these records, with accompaning Post-It-Notes. And not sending in the B.S.

Besides making the records easier for the VA personnel to deal with (they have enough to do without having to go thru hundreds of pages to find the 3 pertinent pages), it will make it easier for me to tell if the claimant ACTUALLY has a claim, and then, and only then, can I council them as to their options.

And then, and ONLY then, packaging it up and sending it in to the VARO, meanwhile retaining a copy of everything sent in, with the same highlited portions.

I dunno, maybe I'm all wrong. But, some kind of sanity must be created out of the insanity of the system as it now stands.

BTW, I start my training this week. Pray for me that I can "endeavor to persevere" and actually be of help.

Good luck in your new endeavors! It'll be the lucky vets that draw you, I'm sure. B)

A note about hilighters... As noted previously, many will come out black on a copy. I have found the high, bright florescent yellow won't do that however.

[Commander Bob]

...BTW, I start my training this week. Pray for me that I can "endeavor to persevere" and actually be of help.

My most positive thoughts will be with you while you "endeavor to persevere", this week. And "May the traffic be with you..."