ptsd My C-file -

[Objee]

Col. Dan's newsletter about the PTSD vet's suicide brings up a point important

to all of us with claims in process. . . . . .

"Note: If you have never reviewed your medical records from the VA, you

don't know what you are missing, especially in mental health clinics....

What you say to a doctor, and what he writes down in his notes.... Is like

fiction.... One thing for sure if you smoke, the one comment that will

consistently appear is one of things you were there for was smoke

cessation.... Even tho you may have never asked for it or mentioned it. I

highly recommend that every veteran go to the medical records section at the

VAMC and ask for a copy of your/their records & Dr Notes."

Say you got a copy of your C file a year ago (maybe when you filed a NOD) and

you've got all those records. BUT, that was a year ago - you've been to clinics,

had lab tests, meds may have changed, etc. What's in your C file right now?

Well, you no longer know!!

Periodically, we all need to order ALL medical records from XXXXX, 2006 to YYYY,

2007 and add them to our C file. Progress Notes are particularly important as that's

where medical comments are made, e.g. - "Patient denies abdominal pain", etc.

You may find you denied complaints about issues you never raised! Any relevant

errors need to be corrected with an "erroneous file entry" letter.

Remember, if it isn't in writing it doesn't exist. But, IF IT'S IN WRITING IT'S BEEN

CAST IN CONCRETE!!!

Ralph

[Vike17]

Objee,

Any records from the VAMC aren't in your C-file at your RO unless you told the VA to get them in reference to a claim filed or you sent them there yourself. If you don't have any claims pending with your regional office, then you don't need to go get a copy of your records since the last rating and send them to your regoional office. You may want them to have a copy for yourself at home, but there is no need to send them to the RO uless you have a claim pending for that particular issue.

Vike 17

Edited February 5, 2007 by Vike17

[Objee]

Objee,

Any records from the VAMC aren't in your C-file at your RO unless you told the VA to get them in reference to a claim filed or you sent them there yourself. If you don't have any claims pending with your regional office, then you don't need to go get a copy of your records since the last rating and send them to your regoional office. You may want them to have a copy for yourself at home, but there is no need to send them to the RO uless you have a claim pending for that particular issue.

Vike 17

Thanks, Vike. I guess my paranoia kicked in again. Time to go chew

some more Prozac! I don't even trust anymore, just try to verify.

Ralph

[Guest terrysturgis]

I requested a copy of my C-file two years ago when my claim was in the decision stages. I sent the request return receipt mail. I never did get a copy.

January 16, 2007 I sent a letter regular mail, no receipt and 20 days later I got my complete file in the mail, Feb. 5, 2007. Biggest difference is my claims are done now (100% P&T).

Point being is if your claim is in progress I assume it is harder for the VA to chase down the C-file to get a us a copy. My claim was through the Detroit RO. Terry Sturgis

[betrayed]

Col. Dan's newsletter about the PTSD vet's suicide brings up a point important

to all of us with claims in process. . . . . .

"Note: If you have never reviewed your medical records from the VA, you

don't know what you are missing, especially in mental health clinics....

What you say to a doctor, and what he writes down in his notes.... Is like

fiction....

Ralph

Case in point the below 5 entries are from my medical records: I was discharged from HIOT because the group was hurting me as the first two entries state.

The first two entries are from the Guy who runs HIOT. The 3rd thru 5th entries are from doctors who twisted sh1t around.......... I have spoken to the patient advocate rep about this and she told me how to try and fix it

10/26/06 James XXXXX“ Mr. XXXX suicidal presentation this last Friday (October) was unexpected and not predicted. The event did not have a detectable trigger…………In discussing this with team, there was concern that intensive nature of HIOT morning process group had actually contributed to the episode:”

11/06/06 James XXXX Addendum: met with this veteran after his discharged from 8 west………he was still concerned with his discharge from the hiot program and he wanted to talk about this with me. Mr. XXXXXXX eventually stated that he both understood and agreed that he may not be ready for an intensive process group such as that in the hiot at this time. Apparently Mr. XXXXXXX wife had strong opinions essentially feeling that the group discussions unsettled Mr. XXXXXXXX ability to cope with daily stressors”.

11/15/2006 DR G“says he was kicked out because of his behavior in groups”.

1/4/07 DR H “ Patient reports he was kicked out of hiot because he was hurting the group dynamics.”

1/17/07 DR P “ Patient reports he was kicked out of hiot because he was hurting the group dynamics.”

I am not trying to draw business here but if something like this happens to you send it to me and I will put it on WWW.BETRAYEDVETERAN.COM, I am writing how the VA has screwed me in the medical care department. My site has nothing to do with claims. I am promoting HADIT on my site T Birds permission. When I finish my story its going to be quite interesting, it will have the following information and a whole lot more in it. Its just taking time to complete. Have a nice day