Stupid Question Regarding Form 21-525

[81150 CAFB]

Sorry for the length of this post. Stupid questin that I should know after spending countless hours on Hadit...I might have even asked it before but can't find it. I finally have most (99%) of my civilian medical records and have all of my service medical records along with 4 nexus letters. I am filing out form 21-526 using the PDF version on my computer where you can enter and save the data. I am filing out the section of the form ( section III) where it asks you to explain how you think your disabilities listed in question above are related to your service. The space is very small and I used the section X part of the form to continue my response regarding all of my issues. I soon ran out of space in this section also. I started to continue my response (all new pages listed as continuation of previous section etc...) on form 4138-support of claim since it is also easy to use as a PDF and has all of the correct wording as everthing is true to best of my ability or something like that.

My first question is can I use this form for my initial claim? I know 526 has the help section and tells you to attach additional comments on a sheet of paper, but 4138 seems nicely set up. I see during a search that it us mainly used in communications with the VA after the initial claim is filed. I am currently doing everything on my own but will turn in my completed forms to the Texas Vetrans Commission (TVC). I will also call them for advice on how to file my claim (if they call back) but I trust the folks here a lot better.

My second question is regarding what to put in this section. Should I keep it short and just mention that I had discectomy in 1989 in Air Force and now have had two surguries at this same site in 2009 (with dates) and reference them to my smr's, private medical records and nexus letters? Then follow with the next issue in the same fashion. I am then planning to use 4138 to give a descrption of each issue (one 4138 per issue) and how it is related to my service or how it is related secondary to my primary condition. I will use this part for pretty much writing/listing everything possible I can about the disability. Or should I just write really long statements about each issue as part of my response to section III? I would then place the 4138 in front of the records I have for that issue or do you think it would be better to put after the completed 526 and the have the records follow? I am also planning on using the 4138 for statments from my wife on how the disabilities have effected me and maybe one from my boss who has seen me in severe pain at work and how much time I've missed.

All responses are welcome... I am seeking your advice on what to put in the section and If using 4138 is a good idea but be nice: ). I want to make this as easy as I can on the VA and I know some on here have worked with them on claims for a long time. I want to have them look at the most relevant part and easily see that it is a no brainer and be happy to get my claim as it would be quick and easy for them to meet their quota : ).

Jbasser- I remember asking you about the 4138 when the VA sent my 526 and also form 4138 with no mention of the forms use. You told me the 4138 is like picking up all of the spares... is this what you were referring to? Using the form to list out my issues?

Fanatic- I have seen your site and will do some of the formating the same.

Also - a lot of people say to put you name, social security number and page numbers on each page. Thus sounds great but dies anyone know how to do this quickly and easily? I have a lot of records and manually doing this seems very painful to me? Any one have any tricks?

Thanks to all!!! I need this advice to finish my filing...honestly I have been procrastinating and feeling exhausted by all of the pain, oxycodone, depression and sometimes feeling what is the point (getting denied, lowballed, all of the misdeeds of the VA etc...) . I just need to do it!! At least I filed informally in September 2009.

81150

Edited June 8, 2010 by 81150 CAFB

[81150 CAFB]

If this is your very first claim you can do it online. If it were me I would file my claim directly with the VA and then give copy to the VSO. I would also give my evidence directly to VA and get date stamped copies. After original claim everything else is a request for increase.

John999- I looked into doing this but thought my supporting evidence (smr's, private records etc...) was to big as a PDF and I think they had a limit on the size if your attachments that was pretty small. What are the advantages of doing in on VONAPP(sp?). Wouldn't I need to send all my evidence with the filing or are you saying I can fill out the form online and hand my actual evidence to the VA to supplement my claim?

Thanks

81150

[81150 CAFB]

Commander Bob - thanks for the research. It doesn't seem to say anthing about using the for to supplement the the filing of 21-526. I can just start a word document template and use that for my additional comments and responses. I would just add the correct verbaige to the header and footer. This leave the question of doing each claim as one big document in response to the "how does this relate to your service " nor do I do a short answer for each one regarding that question and do a seperate document for each claim that has all of the details. I am just trying to see if there is a preferred method for my filing-something that is easy for the VA to review.

Thank you all!!!

81150

[chr49]

Also - a lot of people say to put you name, social security number and page numbers on each page. Thus sounds great but dies anyone know how to do this quickly and easily? I have a lot of records and manually doing this seems very painful to me? Any one have any tricks?

81150

This works well if you don't have a stamp.

To add your info to documents that can't be accessed using your word processor(such as copies or .pdf documents)

Open your word processor and set up a document with a narrow (.5" or less) header & L/R margins.

Open the header/footer and insert your name, SS# or Claim# & Page # ____ (leave blank).

Leave the page blank and print a sample page to make sure all of your information prints properly.

Once it's set up like you want print off several blank pages to use for making copies & printing .pdf documents.

(Note: Be sure to add the page numbers by hand once all of your packet is in order)

Hope this helps...Kathy (CHR49's wife)

[Stretch]

I can tell you three things...

There are no stupid questions when it comes to the VA.

I used the claims form box and wrote in "IN BIG LETTERS", see attached 10 pages....I took the form to the VARO and had all pages time-date stamped....

You can check out form the 21-527 form, here on hadit, for claims after your initial claims.....I will look for the link....

[Stretch]

I do not want to confuse you.....

Here is the link for the 21-527 form......You should read it.....This post was started in 2008

This is the VA site where you can find form 21-527

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/forms.htm

Edited June 9, 2010 by Stretch

[Commander Bob]

...The letter had 21-526 and 4138 attached to it.

81150

Good morning 81150.

I think you answered your own question about using Forty one thirty eights for the extra space you need to complete your 21-526, when you posted that the VA sent you a 21-4138 attached to the 21-526. I called an old friend that worked at a VARO for many years and is now a NSO for a veterans service organization. He said sure, he would use a 21-4138 if you need more space on the 21-526.

Also, I would be the first to admit that I am old school about some things... dealing with the VA is one of them. JMHO.. I would not use VONAPP for this. I would make copies and hand carry them to the VA, attempt to get everything hand stamped ( due to shreadergate ), and copies to your vso rep... I would also reference the section and box number of the 526 that you are expounding on with the 4138, as you probably already know.

Good luck.