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Requested Copy Of My C-File Back In March

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hedgey

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hedgey Experienced

hedgey

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Requested a copy of my C-file back in March, using a 4138 (this was per my VSO's instructions).

Today I got a very thin brown envelope with a cover letter stating that it contained all the records in the VA's possession regarding a FOIA request dated October 1, 2010.

The records are copies of my latest decision letter (not the explanation that I received with that), and a two page list of my disabilities and the associated dates.

The bad news is that I don't know what to make of this. I didn't file any FOIA request that I know of, and if I did it sure wasn't a few weeks ago.

The good news is that all of my disabilities are identified as Static. That's good, right?

Let us be kind, one to another, for we are each of us together in our pain.

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brokensoldier244th Grand Master

brokensoldier244th

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Posted (edited)

Why did you have to drive? They printed mine and just sent it to me. It wasn't 'huge' but it was about 6 inches thick at that point. This was about 6 years ago, though....

I have requested my own, 5 or 6 times...finally got what I do believe is most?all? of them after setting up an appointment with the VARO and driving down there 157 miles one way(oh how I hate big city traffic-whew)only to have them say the copy machine was broken...so after speaking with the manager, he assured me all would be sent within a week.

Anyway, anyhow, the best thing to write is you are requesting all of these records for disabling conditions received while on active duty. Or regarding injury's received while in the military.

Recently a vet was awarded a decent retro when his claim was finally granted, and funny how they couldn't find all his completed date stamped va forms, but utalized the va date stamped request he wrote on letter head, requesting his military records, complete c-file, all records, promotions, evaluations, innoculations, duty stations all and everything for disabling conditions and injuries he received while in service.

This helped him get more years back pay. (even though he had certified/registered receipts signed for too regarding VA forms requests)

So I recommend requesting these all ways you can think of.

BTW he had received copies of all the requests, and all were date stamped by the VARO too. The personal letter was the oldest, and that is what his retro went back to.

Edited by brokensoldier244th

The Earth is degenerating these days. Bribery and corruption abound.Children no longer mind their parents, every man wants to write a book,and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching. --17 different possible sources, all lacking verifiable attribution.

B.S. Doane College, Mgt Info Systems/Systems Analysis 2008

M.S.Ed. Purdue University, Instructional Development and Technology, Feb. 2021

M.S. Purdue University Information Technology/InfoSec, Dec 2022

100% P/T

MDD

Spine

Radiculopathy

Sleep Apnea

Some other stuff

-------------------------------------------
B.S. Info Systems Mgt/Systems Analysis-Doane College 2008
M.S. Instructional Technology and Design- Purdue University 2021

 

(I AM NOT A RATER- I work the claims BEFORE they are rated, annotating medical evidence in your records, VA and Legal documents,  and DA/DD forms- basically a paralegal/vso/etc except that I also evaluate your records based on Caluza and try to justify and schedule the exams that you go to based on whether or not your records have enough in them to warrant those)

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brokensoldier244th Grand Master

brokensoldier244th

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Are the files ever in 'sections'? Could it be that claiming different things 'fragments' the file?

you are assuming that the BVA judge had a file that was just your Cfile. There are other things he could have had in there, too.

*Plink plink*

I had requested my C-File and got it. This is what I used to file my CUE. When me and my lawyer got to the BVA the judge had a file about three times as big as the one I had. This leads me to question due process since both sides are supposed to have access to the same evidence. I lost anyway at that stage, but my lawyer's eyes bugged out at the difference in my copy and the VA's copy of my file. I don't think you ever get your complete file for the VA.

The Earth is degenerating these days. Bribery and corruption abound.Children no longer mind their parents, every man wants to write a book,and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching. --17 different possible sources, all lacking verifiable attribution.

B.S. Doane College, Mgt Info Systems/Systems Analysis 2008

M.S.Ed. Purdue University, Instructional Development and Technology, Feb. 2021

M.S. Purdue University Information Technology/InfoSec, Dec 2022

100% P/T

MDD

Spine

Radiculopathy

Sleep Apnea

Some other stuff

-------------------------------------------
B.S. Info Systems Mgt/Systems Analysis-Doane College 2008
M.S. Instructional Technology and Design- Purdue University 2021

 

(I AM NOT A RATER- I work the claims BEFORE they are rated, annotating medical evidence in your records, VA and Legal documents,  and DA/DD forms- basically a paralegal/vso/etc except that I also evaluate your records based on Caluza and try to justify and schedule the exams that you go to based on whether or not your records have enough in them to warrant those)

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john999 Grand Master

john999

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My copy of my C-File and the BVA judge's copy were a complete mess. There was no order in time or subject. God knows what he had, but my lawyer requested a copy of the judge's file. You just can't have due process when one side has information the other side does not have. I lost my claim at that stage anyway due to the "reasonable minds" doctrine the VA interprets to their own interest. If you are going to deal with the VA long term assume the worst from them.

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halos2 Veteran

halos2

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Posted

Why did you have to drive? They printed mine and just sent it to me. It wasn't 'huge' but it was about 6 inches thick at that point. This was about 6 years ago, though....

Because I knew I never received all of the copies of papers. I had requested them so many times and copies of the same pages were included each time and many pages which just had copy on it but no info! Could it be the person copying forgot to turn the pages ove?? Who knows, but... I believed they were holding them back, so I called and asked what the best way they had to get me the copies and the person said just make an appointment and then come on down and get them all....LIAR- I still don't know if the manager had them send me all copies or not?? But I do have a couple of feet of files now anyway. Never trust them!! NEVER!!

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hedgey Experienced

hedgey

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Well, I understand that a C-File request is viewed as a FOIA request (thanks for explaining that!), but that still leaves me perplexed and vexed.

I have a copy of my request, which has the Magic Stamp of Receipt dated March 25th. The paperwork I received says they received the request on October 1st.

My request states "I request a complete copy of my Claim File to include all VA correspondence and my Service Medical Records" (my VSO wrote this for me).

I received a copy of my latest Decision Letter. BTW, they only copied pages 1, 3, 5, etc. They didn't copy the reverse of the pages. Is this what I asked for? The cover letter says that they have provided copies of ALL documents they have in their possession pertaining to my request. What, they don't have my SMR's? But the copy they sent refers to my Service Records as evidence....

Was my request unclear?

Let us be kind, one to another, for we are each of us together in our pain.

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brokensoldier244th Grand Master

brokensoldier244th

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I don't know about unclear-it seemed pretty clear to me, but if the person copying it had 100 others to do that day......

Its not an excuse, but that's probably what happened.

Well, I understand that a C-File request is viewed as a FOIA request (thanks for explaining that!), but that still leaves me perplexed and vexed.

I have a copy of my request, which has the Magic Stamp of Receipt dated March 25th. The paperwork I received says they received the request on October 1st.

My request states "I request a complete copy of my Claim File to include all VA correspondence and my Service Medical Records" (my VSO wrote this for me).

I received a copy of my latest Decision Letter. BTW, they only copied pages 1, 3, 5, etc. They didn't copy the reverse of the pages. Is this what I asked for? The cover letter says that they have provided copies of ALL documents they have in their possession pertaining to my request. What, they don't have my SMR's? But the copy they sent refers to my Service Records as evidence....

Was my request unclear?

The Earth is degenerating these days. Bribery and corruption abound.Children no longer mind their parents, every man wants to write a book,and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching. --17 different possible sources, all lacking verifiable attribution.

B.S. Doane College, Mgt Info Systems/Systems Analysis 2008

M.S.Ed. Purdue University, Instructional Development and Technology, Feb. 2021

M.S. Purdue University Information Technology/InfoSec, Dec 2022

100% P/T

MDD

Spine

Radiculopathy

Sleep Apnea

Some other stuff

-------------------------------------------
B.S. Info Systems Mgt/Systems Analysis-Doane College 2008
M.S. Instructional Technology and Design- Purdue University 2021

 

(I AM NOT A RATER- I work the claims BEFORE they are rated, annotating medical evidence in your records, VA and Legal documents,  and DA/DD forms- basically a paralegal/vso/etc except that I also evaluate your records based on Caluza and try to justify and schedule the exams that you go to based on whether or not your records have enough in them to warrant those)

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