ptsd VA lost my claim years ago and my medcal records are "missing"

[AFWarrior]

Greetings,

I filed my claim at the Winston-Salem VA location in October of 2015. In may of 2012 I received an email response notifying me there is NO OPEN CASE on file. I called and it was confirmed there is no record of a claim. Since then, I have attempted to acquire my medical and full service records, with no success. The latest attempt at records retrieval was also unsuccessful, however I did receive a letter from NPRC informing me my health record “may” have been sent to the regional office where my claim was filed.

The letter came from St. Louis, Mo and indicated that my records could be at VARMC in St. Louis. I’m confused, tired. And emotionally drained. I am a 52 year old Air Force veteran (1983-1992) dealing with several service connected injuries that continue to get worse as I get older.

I have received both inpatient outpatient mental health care at the VA here in Asheville. So far, I have managed to survive and cope with these conditions, but my pain and psychological issues (including PTSD)become too much to bear at times. In short, I need help. I feel like the government has given me the runaround for 20 plus years and I don’t know what else to do.

I have called the veterans crisis line and spoken to local case workers here at the Asheville VA, however I have not heard from them in over 3 weeks.

I think they forgot about me (again), or maybe they are understaffed.  There have been recent tragedies in recent months committed by veterans, and those incidents  have spurred me to again seek help, I don’t know where to start and I’m slowly losing my mind! Veterans who proudly served this great country are being cast aside, adrift in a sea of red tape.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Keith F.

[AFWarrior]

I am starting to see that, the whole system appears to be designed to have vets give up. I am awaiting my DD214 and hopefully it should be here soon. The letter I received was specifically about the health record. I have both fax and email confirmation for both heath and personnel requests. This forum is great, so many vets have gone through hell with the VA, it's a shame. I had my knee and shoulder examined a few years ago at the VA, x-rays didn't see anything, as expected, but they won't pay for an MRI, looking into private radiologists if I can afford it. My shoulder still pops out of the socket and occasionally I have great pain. Thank you for the advice and encouragement.