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Filing Claim Questions

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drt773

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I was just medically retired from the Air Force on 7 Apr at 50%. I was in contact with a state VA rep who was going to help me fill out the paperwork to get the claim started he said after I got my DD 214. I got it the other day and emailed him back and now he has had knee surgery and is out for an indefinite period of time. I printed off the VA 21-526 and looked at it. Should I just fill it out to the best of my ability or is there any other suggestions. Anything would be greatly appreciated at this point as I don't really know what to do. Thank you.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

DRT:

Welcome to Hadit. If the VA Rep will see you fairly soon to help you fill out the paperwork you should do it. Did you get copies of your Service Medical Records when you left? If not you need to request them ASAP.

Pete

Edited by Pete53

Veterans deserve real choice for their health care.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

got copies of medical records before outbriefing. just signed them out for an appointment and copied em. now VA has SMR, so I requested my free copy. Just happened to notice they sorta delete the lab slips and other pertinent data.

For my children, my God sent husband and my Hadit family of veterans, I carry on.

God Bless A m e r i c a, Her Veterans and their Families!

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Bull, demand the lab slips... demand all psych (maybe they'll spit it up), and make sure you get a copy of your personnel file (201 file in Army)...

further make sure you have copies of any non-judicial punishment (captains mast, article 15 etc.) as well as any copies of any performance evaluations... certainly recent as compared to past.

You have a RIGHT to a complete med file, and you need to make your PEBLO aware that you know it...

Believe me, it will be essential in submitting your claim.... Have they already pushed you thru a Tiger Team, or have you just gone to the mandatory VA briefing?

Bob Smith

Bob Smith

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By the way, congratulations on getting a retirement.....

But it doesnt stop here and you seem to know that. File for compensation for all the medical, but make sure that te things you do file for can withstand these 3 necessities:

1. Actual Diagnosis

2. Service-Connection (Within 1 year of discharge is PRESUMPTIVE in most cases)

3. You actually file for compensation fo rthe injury.

As long as your claim is in these boundaries you are all good.

Welcome, and feel free to ask questions about anything, we have a specialists for darn near every illness I have ever heard of, an a few I haven't.

Bob Smith

Bob Smith

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Amended; Organize with names, descriptions and dates everything now. I have found this harder years later. If I could I would compile a Yearbook of sorts; addresses of coworkers, neighbors, landlords, etc, maybe thier age, family status and hometowns, MOS (or job titles), other bases they were stationed at. Additionally I would request or help a buddy recall any event in writing that has had a medical impact(broken finger, extended temporary duty and family emergency at home, passing out in the shot line, etc). I sure wish I had an Organizational chart (with first&last names,and mug shots :rolleyes: ) for every assignment I had, commanders, supervisors and first shirts changed so quickly.God Bless you,cg

For my children, my God sent husband and my Hadit family of veterans, I carry on.

God Bless A m e r i c a, Her Veterans and their Families!

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  • HadIt.com Elder

DRT

All the service organizations should be able to help you fill out your claim form. If the state rep is not available use the DAV or VFW. Don't wait for some guy out on indefinite sick leave. You can even file online for your original claim. It is interactive and you just go to the VA website. Best however to do it with a National Service Officer. I bet you will probably get 70-100% from VA if the military gave you 50%. Is military disability pay tax free or not? VA compensation is tax free.

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          Maybe I can clear it up.  

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