Mental Health

[womanbsweet]

How do I optain my mental health records. They weren't kept with my regular medical records, is this the norm in the Air Force. Do I have to write each base, because I'm sure they don't keep the records forever.

[Wings]

Having worked in the mental health dept. of the USAF, I can confirm postively yes: mental health records are filed separately from the member's regular military medical record.

These MH records are stored with the base medical facility until the member is ordered to another AF installation (in which case the mental health record is forwarded upon request); or at approximately 5 years - the MH records are retired to St. Louis and boxed by treatment facility.

When you request mental health treatment records from St. Louis, you need to FOIA your records by stating the dates of treatment and the treatment facility.

Sometimes, mental health records are classified as "sensitive information" and will only be released to an attorney type person (VSO) or medical doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist.

Good luck!!

[Guest jangrin]

Wings,

Are the current mental health records sent to the RO for the Cfile for use in claims rating determinations? If they are, wouldn't you get a copy of the mental health records when you request a copy of the cfile?

Jangrin :o

Having worked in the mental health dept. of the USAF, I can confirm postively yes: mental health records are filed separately from the member's regular military medical record.

These MH records are stored with the base medical facility until the member is ordered to another AF installation (in which case the mental health record is forwarded upon request); or at approximately 5 years - the MH records are retired to St. Louis and boxed by treatment facility.

When you request mental health treatment records from St. Louis, you need to FOIA your records by stating the dates of treatment and the treatment facility.

Sometimes, mental health records are classified as "sensitive information" and will only be released to an attorney type person (VSO) or medical doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist.

Good luck!!

Edited August 21, 2006 by jangrin

[Wings]

The RO is supposed to collect the medical records that you have told them you have as evidence. Noormally, the RO would have you sign a "release of information" for the records you want them to use in evidence. When you filed your claim, do you remember listing the provider's names and addresses, etc.? I would never assume the VA has followed through with evidence gathering - you have to be proactive in gathering your evidence and submitting it. I have sent them medical evidence, only to have them turn around and send me the forms for "release of information" and then they go ahead and gather their own copy. They want to be sure the evidence is true and correct. Hope I answered your question ;-)

[Hoppy]

I had the RO obtain the records directly from the VA hospital. When the RO wrote in the decision that the hospital did not respond to their request I went to the VA hospital and started yelling at people. I was told to settle down. And they would check on it. They went into their file a produced the name of the RO employee who came into their office and signed for my records. The impression I got was that I was not the first veteran to acuse the records clerks of not responding to a request for records and the other veterans were also shown the name of the RO employee who picked the up recprds. Long story short, the RO lost the records.

[Pete53]

My experience with Medical Records is positive. They seem to be able to do something that the RO can't. That is provide a timely service and keep their own records.