Reviewing The C-File

[4MR05C]

Anyone know how long the VA has to achedule an appointment for you to review your c-file?

It's been well over 90 days since I went to the VARO and asked to do so and still nothing from them.

Meanwhile, they made a decision (which I will be appealing), does this mean I have to go back and ask to review the c-file again?

So confusing...

Thanks for any help!

[john999]

If there is a time frame then the VA ignores it with no penalty. It took my lawyer a year to get his own "complete" copy of my file.

[meghp0405]

again, this depends on the VARO. I can send off a letter for a veteran to obtain his/her c-file. I have seen this process take anywhere from 2 weeks to 9 months. I'm not aware of any time length they have to respond to a request for records though.

[free_spirit_etc]

My VARO had me put in a separate request to VIEW the C-file. My husband had put in a request for the C-file, and when he died I had to put in a new request. They told me from the beginning that it would take a long time to get a complete copy of the C-file - at least 6 months. But they told me I could put in a request for an appointment to view the C-file. I got that appointment fairly quickly. It seems like it was within about a month. I was only given an hour and a VA representative stayed with me. But she helped me look for specific documents I wanted to see (his discharge physical that has never been found). And she was willing to make copies of specific documents.

So you might want to try making a written request to view your C-file at the RO, and see if you can get copies made of the most important documents. If you already made the written request to view it, you might want to send them an IRIS asking them how close they are to taking action on your request you filed on X date.

Edited December 29, 2013 by free_spirit_etc

[free_spirit_etc]

4MR05C,

You might find this helpful

http://asknod.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/getting-your-c-file/

[63SIERRA]

John.... I DID put it in writing!

I don't think there is "no time frame"... I think its 90 days, but I was looking for some one who might actually know.

Thanks for the reply.

Ok heres a reply, they do what they want to do, when they want to because they have no penalty for not following laws or rules.

quote from ask nods website.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives us certain rights and the VA is required to comply with them or face censure. This rarely daunts them. Upon request, they are legally required to hop to it and get a copy of your file to you within ninety days or face the consequences of failing to do so. To date, Vets have yet to see the consequences of VA refusals, but that isn’t the subject of this lesson.

Edited December 29, 2013 by 63SIERRA

[4MR05C]

Ok heres a reply, they do what they want to do, when they want to because they have no penalty for not following laws or rules.

63S, it appears you are quite frustrated with the VA, and you probably have every right to be.... but let me ask you something; did it feel good to get all snarky with ME?

If so, that's great, I'm happy to help you vent, but really, that line above... helps no one but you.

I do thank you for the info from the link that Free-spirit provided... I knew I had read the 90 days requirement somewhere before.