Does Va Request Recent Medical Records?

[Guest jangrin]

While waiting for the initial rating, does the VA request the recent medical records from the VA med center for routine doctor visits, or is the veteran suppose to request copies of medical records from each doctor/provider visit and send it to the VARO for the C-file?

Thanks, Jangrin

[Guest jangrin]

Jangrin,

I got lucky with my primary doc. I obtained copies of my medical records covering 2 years after claim submission. Told him what I'd done and he asked me to leave them with him for a week. He wrote up a true "progress report" for my clinic visit that summarized the changes in the last 2 years and a prognosis. Told me what he'd done and said to get a copy and send it in with the records. Said things like "This needs to be considered for an increase in disability level." and "This needs to be considered for service connection as it's most likely caused by ...."

My VSO told me this has an even more powerful effect on my claim adjudication than a straight opinion letter. Don't know why that would be true, but I seem to be about to be awarded more than I asked for. Just a thought if you have a good relationship with your attending physicians.

Ralph

Objee,

That is good advise. We (my husband and I ) will talk to his doctor at the nesxt visit about doing a progress report documenting any changes from his doctor who was treating him prior to our move and the new current doctor. She is doing new lab work, new EKG, new DMII meds, and increase in HBP meds all different and increases since the last complete exam about 10 months ago. She will certainly justify the increases and such in her notes, maybe she'll do a progress report as you suggest. I'm for anything that helps the raters be able to make a proper decision. We would like to be out of the claim process, and give our spot to someone else. LOL

Jangrin

[Guest jangrin]

After my claim was over a couple of years old I would get copies of my VA Progress Notes and send them to the VARO. As I have said before I think that the VARO asks for the records once during its review.

Pete,

I think that the VARO probably only needed to get the records one time back when it only took a few monthws to process a claim, but over the past few years and for the next few years with the newest Iraqi Freedom vets coming home from war and needing care and filing claims, the wait is going to be long enough that the average veteran best keep track of their on-going medical records. I think it will continue to take a year to three years to process the average claim. Too sad because it really is an injustice to all who have served.

Jangrin