C&P Reports and VBMS Access

[RBrogen]

Hi Everyone,

It's been a hot minute since I've been on but hope all are doing well.  I've been assisting a few vets with the claims process and I have a 75 y/o Vietnam vet how has a lot of scars secondary to heart operation that is currently service connected.  We filed for his scars back in May 2022, after multiple C&Ps, he got a decision on 12/23/2022 that service connected every scar with "0% rating - Final Decision Deferred".  When I was going throught the process, about 3-4 weeks after the C&P my report would be uploaded to myhealthvet.com Blue Button records.  This vet has can't seem to get the VA to upload anything to his account and he keeps getting bounced around and now was forced to file a FOIA for the C&P reports.  What a damn crock of crap forcing vets to damn near sue to get their own C&P reports.  Anyway, I digress, I had read that if we contact an accredited VSO who has access to the VBMS system that they could download and send him the C&P reports (obviously with the appropriate 21-22a completed).  I wanted to gut check the vast experience here to see if anyone else is; having the same issues getting records and/or have ever been able to get records from accredited VSO?

Thanks in advance,

Randy

[RBrogen]

Just now, shrekthetank1 said:

No, I am talking about C&P exams.  I am waiting on them still.  

If you fiile FOIA and they haven't responded you can use the link I posted here earlier to contat the FOIA Director.  If asked how you got her info, it was a search on VA.gov.

[ShrekTheTank]

53 minutes ago, RBrogen said:

If you fiile FOIA and they haven't responded you can use the link I posted here earlier to contat the FOIA Director.  If asked how you got her info, it was a search on VA.gov.

Oh no they responded.  It has take over 6 months to get my C&P exams.  Still have not seen them.  They have sent 4-5 letters about them and that they are sending a CD of them.  So we will see when they get here.

 

[RBrogen]

Just now, shrekthetank1 said:

Oh no they responded.  It has take over 6 months to get my C&P exams.  Still have not seen them.  They have sent 4-5 letters about them and that they are sending a CD of them.  So we will see when they get here.

 

Did you file FOIA?

[ShrekTheTank]

1 minute ago, RBrogen said:

Did you file FOIA?

Sure did.  I tried to do it at the VAMC and they told me they do not do that anymore.  I went to the C&P office and got the same response.  I then went to the state VSO and they filed my FOIA for me.  It went through the NEW process and I am now waiting to see how long it takes.  

[ShrekTheTank]

Claim type

Freedom of Information Act / Privacy Act Request

What you’ve claimed

Not Available

Date received

July 25, 2022

Your representative for VA claims

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE US

 

[RBrogen]

Just now, shrekthetank1 said:

Sure did.  I tried to do it at the VAMC and they told me they do not do that anymore.  I went to the C&P office and got the same response.  I then went to the state VSO and they filed my FOIA for me.  It went through the NEW process and I am now waiting to see how long it takes.  

Ok, so go to the link I posted earlier, and the very first contact is the FOIA Public Liaison for the VA contact information.  Send her an email or fax and explain that you sent a FOIA, the VA did not provide the information within the 20 days and it has been X amount of time and you would like to ask for assistance getting your C&P reports in order to properly review your claim decisions.  If asked how you got the info, it was a search on VA.GOV which is wher ethe info comes from.