New Guy With Questions.

[Hs3 Monaghan]

Hi, I'm wondering is there any different procedures for coastguardsmen? What should I know before my C&P? and whats a C; file?

[Wings]

Hi, I'm wondering is there any different procedures for coastguardsmen? What should I know before my C&P? and whats a C; file?

1. Get a copy of your Service Medical Records (SMR) AND Service Personnel Records from NARA !

Location of Coast Guard Military Personnel and Health Records

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-...oast-guard.html

2. Were you regular Coast Guard, Retired Coast Guard or Reserves? Are you still active duty?

3. C-File is the Claims File or Folder that the VA opens on you once you file any type of claim for any type of veterans benefits. It is stored at the VA Regional Office where you filed your claim.

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit. Your C&P should be same as any other service. If we knew what your C&P was for we could offer some tips.

Remember this that they are looking for how your injury affects your every day life. So when they ask how are you feeling its a good idea to tell them how you feel every day at home.

[Berta]

Welcome Aboard-

I see some Coast Guard vets at the BVA have had problems proving their active duty service-

"Although the RO has made diligent efforts to verify the

veteran's service in the Coast Guard, the National Personnel

Records Center (NPRC) has been unable to verify the service

even though there is prima facie evidence of such service on

the veteran's DD Form 214 for his period of service in the

Navy and in the naval service medical records"

from:http://www.va.gov/vetapp04/files3/0425617.txt

and

" The RO should contact the veteran and

ask him to clarify if he had service in

the Coast Guard from June 1972 to March

1978, and if so, whether he was a

civilian merchant marine at that time or

if he was on active duty with the Coast

Guard. If his response is that he was on

active duty in the Coast Guard during

that time frame, appropriate verification

from the Coast Guard should be obtained.

If the veteran indicates that he was on

active duty with the Coast Guard, all

Coast Guard service personnel records

should be requested. "

from :http://www.va.gov/vetapp96/files2/9615641.txt

Best to get ALL Service Records and SMRs asap.

Looks like they might ask for active duty clarification-best to get that now-Wings is right-

[Wings]

If he's already been scheduled for a C&P Exam, chances are the VA has already verified his "active duty status" requirement . . .

C.F.R. Sec 3.7 (h) Individuals and groups considered to have performed active military, naval, or air service. Coast Guard. Active service in Coast Guard on or after January 29, 1915, while under jurisdiction of the Treasury Department, Navy Department, or the Department of Transportation. (See Sec. 3.6 ( c) and (d) as to temporary members of the Coast Guard Reserves.)