1st VA Appointment

[N20_C2H6O]

I filed for disability in Dec. 2015. Last week I received a letter stating the only medical records which could be found were from MEPS. Nothing more.

 

Fast forward a week later and I get a phone call from the VA saying they want me to make an appointment to see them.

 

Since this is my first run in with the VA. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions? Should I bring my own personal doctors medical records to support my argument, etc....

 

Thanks in advance

[N20_C2H6O]

On 10/6/2016 at 3:13 AM, Buck52 said:

N-20_C2H60

Some times the VA don't try to get all our records, so its left up to us to try to get them unless you have a decent /honest VSO helping you,

Here is the link to NRPC in St Louis.

(National Records Personal Center) 

https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/

I suggest to contact them request your Medical Records and 201 file..in your Request  actually say All My Medical Records.

And any possible Military Service Records (MSR)

Sign a FIOA form   which this likely you will have in this link,  just copy from PDF and send it back to them electronically. 

Also Request a Redacted copy of your C-FILE.

Do this ASAP.

JMO

.............Buck

I did that. Thank You. However, the response I received was my MEPS medical record from when I first joined was the ONLY record on file.  Apparently EVERYTHING else vanished?

Edit:

I just called 1-888-533-4558 to triple check the VA and see if there was something they missed.

WOW. The CSR was a BIOTCH! She tried to speak over me several times saying "We're still processing requests from last year!" However, with due diligence she did say they are still gathering my Medical Records together. So, they didn't lose everything?

I can see how this is like being in a relationship with a Bi-Polar girlfriend.

Edited October 7, 2016 by N20_C2H6O
Addition to reply

[syne7]

Consider gathering lay statements or buddy statements from Veterans in service.  They can testify to symptoms and observations.  Based on my readings of VA appeals, I believe in cases where records are lost, such statements (including your own) should be given more weight.

[N20_C2H6O]

On 10/7/2016 at 1:40 PM, syne7 said:

Consider gathering lay statements or buddy statements from Veterans in service.  They can testify to symptoms and observations.  Based on my readings of VA appeals, I believe in cases where records are lost, such statements (including your own) should be given more weight.

That would be nice to get but I dont keep in contact with anyone I knew back then. Only Veteran I know is a buddy at work.