Vso

[sbrewer]

What information does your vso have? My husband has emailed his guy several times about getting a copy of the blue sheet, and he does not reply. He emailed something else the other day, and he replyed. Seems like he just reponds to whatever he wants to. We are trying to find out what code he is rated for. Is there anything else that this person has that we may need a copy of?

thanks,

sbrewer

[Jazona]

When I reopened my claim for PTSD in 1992 I went to the American Legion for representation, they refused, saying "they (the VA) don't award claims for that (PTSD)". I had been a member in good standing for 14 years. Went to the VFW, same thing, member for 14 years. I went to Amvets and they COST ME YEARS as my claim sat in a file at their office.

I took over my own claim and with the help of the incredibly knowledgable people here at Hadit, won my appeal and in 2000 was awarded all the way back to 1992. Big paycheck!

Plain and simple, take over your own claim, learn as much about your disability, 38 CFR and USC as you can, come here to Hadit and ask questions, lotz of them. Become the master of your fate. I know first hand it is not easy, especially if you have PTSD.

SO's are a ridiculous waste of time and money.

jaz

[rdawg]

rdawg,

No, everything isn't OK in 'Fairyland,' but to say the VA intentionally witholds your records to hide information is a little stretch. From your previuos post, it sounds like you are having a problem with your SO, not the VA! Believe it or not, the SO's don't work for the VA in any capacity, they 'work' for their respective organization.

If you want a complete copy of your C-file, just write the Privacy Act Request like I stated in my first post and you'll receive your records.

Vike 17

I definitely had problems with my SO. I think he is in bed with the VA. He says he is trying to get everything for me but I'm not sure that's true.

Vike17, you've given me great advice since I joined hadit and I appreciate it. I think we have a difference of opinion on this issue and we'll have to leave it at that.

I think if the VA really wanted to assist the veteran they would automatically send you a copy of everythin\g as soon as you file. They would give you instructions on how to get a probative opinion from your Dr. Instead it's this big mystery that wastes everyone's time including the VA's.

[Vike17]

rdawg,

You stated;

I think if the VA really wanted to assist the veteran they would automatically send you a copy of everythin\g as soon as you file. They would give you instructions on how to get a probative opinion from your Dr. Instead it's this big mystery that wastes everyone's time including the VA's

You have to remember that your medical records are available to you through the National Personnel Records Center, free of charge. the only thing you have to do is request them. Better yet, before you ETSed out of the service, you might have wanted to make a copy of those records. After all they are your records. Then, as I have stated before, your records are also availble to you through the VA free of charge.

The VA is already assisting you, they are retrieving your records from the NPRC for your claim. What else do you want the VA to do for you? Look at this way, the VA could make you obtain your own records to substantiate any claim for disability compensation instead of going on a hunting trip to find them for you!

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree!

Vike 17

Edited December 20, 2006 by Vike17

[huskerfanfl]

I have to agree with Vike, even though I am not fond of VSO's. Before I retired in 2004, I made two copies of all my medical records. One went to the VA and the other is locked up in my filing cabinet at home. Every six months, shortly before my appointment with the VA, I go around and get copies of my civilian records, and make a copy for the VA and put one in my records. After my appointment withe VA, I request copies of the current record. It may seem like a lot of work, but when I get called in for another exam, I will be able to bring records with me.

[rdawg]

I had copies. My home, everything in it and two vehicles were blown into the everglades by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. I'm glad the NPRC had copies or I'd be SOL. My beef is with the VA. I submitted my claim online thru VONAPP. The next day I mailed my form 180 to NPRC. They sent me what they had and said the rest were on loan to the VA. I called the VA. They said "your claim is in the rating board, if you request your records now it will take your claim out of the board before they make a decision". So I waited and put the request in as soon as it came out of the board (denied, of course). I called and called, no request. I sent it registered mai return receipt. The VA signed for it and then it disappeared.

[john999]

The thing to remember about VSO's is they do not get paid at piece rate and some are just lazy. Hadit is where you really learn how to move your claim forward.