Starting Over.....

[free_spirit_etc]

My husband didn't get any response except for form letters all year from the VA -- now it is my understanding that they will close his case since he died.

We never even got the copy of his retirement physical -- or copies of his c-file --or anything we requested last June (just some we are working on it letters).

Does that mean I will have to request those items again? and wait and wait and wait?

Or can I go to the VARO and see his C-file and get copies of the docs I need?

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[Guest RickB54]

My husband didn't get any response except for form letters all year from the VA -- now it is my understanding that they will close his case since he died.

We never even got the copy of his retirement physical -- or copies of his c-file --or anything we requested last June (just some we are working on it letters).

Does that mean I will have to request those items again? and wait and wait and wait?

Or can I go to the VARO and see his C-file and get copies of the docs I need?

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You should be allowed to see the file and/or request a copy without any problems.

[Pete53]

You should look at the C File and than request a full and complete copy. You will need it to establish your claim.

[Berta]

"My husband didn't get any response except for form letters all year from the VA -- now it is my understanding that they will close his case since he died."

You can re-open his claim for accrued benefits.

If a vet dies while a claim is pending many SOs and vet reps still tell the survivor the claims has "died"-and they fail to add that it can be resurrected-

I wrote an article for Stars and Stripes many years ago about this- and reps are still failing to advise widows properly regarding anything the vet had pending at death.

On the DIC appication is the part about accrued benefits- forget how they put it-I think they simply ask if the deceased vet had a claim pending.

I suggest that widows always check yes to this question but also file formal re-opened claim.

My husband had two pending- higher SC and Sec 1151-so I had to formally re-open both claims.

The VA will send you a copy of his c file- also you can get copy of his medical records.

C file is requested from the VARO-C "Claims" file- med recs come from the Records Access Officer of the VAMC where he got treatment-there might be some med recs in the c file-depends on how pending his claim was-

The VA might give you some BS-

make sure they have (probably have it already) your marriage license and copy of the death certificate.

I didnt have problems getting this stuff ten years ago-

3 years ago I needed a clearer copy of some chemistry reports and they made me bring in my Surrogate probate papers to show I was surviving spouse as determined by the Probate court-what a bunch of crap-

no one at VA or anywhere else ever asked for this personal stuff before -this is one of the VAMCs that committed malpractice on Rod-

It then took the VA many months to send me the records I asked for-I needed only 2 or 3-critical but chem values cut off when they had first copied them.

Getting any copies you need should only take a brief request in writing but that might ask for more info (death cert, marriage license-even if they already havce that)

Edited March 19, 2007 by Berta (see edit history)

[free_spirit_etc]

We requested a copy of his C-file last summer. We also requested copies of his SMR's - (inlcuding his discharge physical) We got no response on the c-file. We got a few form letters on the SMR record request -- telling us they are working on it.

We tried to get copies from the National Record Center -- but after waiting about a month - they informed us that the VA has them. So I guess when the VA has your case - they take your ACTUAL records (and they are no longer in the archive) --kind of scarey - isn't it.... Because if they lose them..... the Record Center doesn't have a copy.

That seemed odd to me - but that is what the record center told us -- that they don't have them -- they are at the VA.

So I am hesitant to write and request them and wait a long time.

My husband has most of his records and most of his file.

So could I just make an appointment and go up to the regional Va office and look at the file and get copies of what I still need?

Or will I be able to do that if they have closed his case?

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