ptsd Is This A Success Story? Need Some Advice...

[Berta]

Gerald- the SSA would allow you to look over anything in your file there with an appointment-

they told us we could even copy some stuff ourselves for a small copy fee-

But when they brought it out to us- it was two enormous binders packed with stuff-

It seemed to me that the SSA had much more than the VARO had-

So this might be a better way to get what you need-but I would still try to pursue any avenue of getting what you need- just in case-

You probably have your SMRs? (Service medical records)

if not -SSA will get them

It is possible- I have always wondered about this- that when the SSA asks the VA for records, maybe the VA sends them the actual records they have and does not copy them-that would take much time-

When I applied at NARA for my husband's SMRs-

he served twice-

they sent me the Navy SMRs but the letter said his USMC records were at the VARO (where they should be for my present claim)

I never believe VA if they say the records are not available- they gotta be somewhere!