Are all military medical records on file at the VA?

[RichardZ]

I met with a VSO today at my VA Hospital who was very knowledgeable and very helpful.  We decided I should submit a few new claims which we did.  He told me that he didn't need copies of my military records that showed my sick call notations related to any of the claims.  He said that the VA now has entire military medical record on file and would find the record(s) in their own file.  It seemed odd to me as my service dates back to  1981 and spans 34 years through my retirement in 2015.  It sure seemed to make more sense for me to give him copies of my military medical record pages that document the injuries as I'd already had them with me.  He didn't want my copies.  Anyone have any information on this.  Much thanks in advance.  

[pacmanx1]

As always, your claim, your decision. The problem is that some VSOs think that the VA will do a proper job in investigating, reviewing and researching for your military records both in-service and post-service. In my experience this is not always the case and most likely not even the case at all. The VA is supposed to review the veteran’s records but that does not always happen. I myself have submitted copies of my in-service record with each and every claim I filed. I tried my best to only submit the evidence that pertained to a particular claim to not overwhelm the VA but for whatever reason the VA still refused to consider the evidence that I attached to my claims. That helped win my claims on appeal because I submitted the documents, and it proved that I gave the VA the evidence they needed to grant my claims, but they denied my claims that I won on appeal.

After filing your claims, the VA will send you or should send you a development letter asking for additional evidence, and you can then write a statement in support and attach your in-service evidence (sick-call notations) at that time. A lot of claims are denied because of many different reasons, and you don’t want to give the VA any reason to deny your claims, trust me they can do that with all the evidence in your records and duplicate evidence will not hurt your claims. Keep in mind that appeals are taken months and years depending on how you file and some supplemental and or HLR are a waste of time. Yes, some are granted but they are too far and in between to say that it is worth trying to file a supplemental or HLR.

Edited Tuesday at 10:35 AM by pacmanx1

[relatively happy camper]

You absolutely need to provide any of your military medical records that are favorable to your claim.  The VA is not on your side, nor are they neutral.  Their goal is like any insurance company - i.e... not to pay you.  You should never use an insurance company's adjuster!!  They are there to save the company money!

Get your military medical records.  Keep the originals and submit copies to the VA.

[RichardZ]

Yeah, I have all my military medical records thankfully.   After the claims show up on my VA profile, I'll probably just upload the medical documentation myself.    It just seems obvious to make the rater's job easier by giving them the documents.   I was following the VSO's guidance since he seemed pretty knowledgeable, experienced and seemed like a straight shooter.  Also though it's my first time using the VSO at my local VA, I've watched the office for awhile and it seems it's always pretty busy and the vets getting help there always seem pretty content with the service they're receiving there.  I've been at 80% since 2016.   The VSO seemed to be telling me it shouldn't be too challenging to get the additional items rated and possibly existing ones increased.  I'm cautiously optimistic, but time will tell.  Much thanks for all the help!

[broncovet]

Yea, right.  VA has your FULL and complete records, and the tooth fairly will leave a dime under your pillow if they do..  VA is notorious for shredding and deleting records, like they did mine, and they even got caught, in 2009, the famous "October Incident".  The VAOIG found Veterans records and evidence in shredder bins at "at least" 3 different Regional Offices, and most of the others were not even checked.  

Its unclear if electronic record keeping has "fully" solved this awful scandal, because VA can now just delete them.  Since the shredding in 2009 was "obviously not" just an individual error, because it was widespread among regional offices, Veterans have no assurance that records are still not being deleted electronically.  

Case in point:  I sent a claim in, saved the confirm number, and VA said they had no record of it.  This personally happened to me.  

Tell your VSO we would like to have some of the stuff he has been smoking.  He must either be a green horn, or have a dog in the fight.