You are absolutely correct, and I advise everyone to make copies of everything. Also, I suggest that vets get some sort of representation, whether it the DAV or VFW or American Legion....they all will help.

Jim

i re-submitted for a my claim for my bi polar and depression and was rejected...like this summer, so i said i wanted to go to the board and have it reviewed...i have the DAV representing me but i still cant get my records from korea (93-94)...it was there while i was at camp casey, that i firts tried to kill myself..someone found me in the road or something and i was flown by helicopter to seoul and they pumped my stomach and put me in a psycg ward for 30days...
i think that fact alone shows my problems of bi polar, but i need the records...and i cant for some reason get them???

paatunc,

I had a similiar issue with my medical records.
Before I filed my claim I requested my medical records. and got them very fast. But they were incomplete. And there was a note that my records were sent to internal medicine.

The DAV rep told me that the way to get missing records is the file an SF180 and request the records from the treatment facility.
He said it will take forever and you have to be very specific on what you want and the dates... A starting point would be hosptial discharge reports.. or reports from the psyc ward. ( i started with the pharmacy.. just to see if I can get doctors names.. then working it from there. it has been 4 months and have not heard back from them )

If you do have a veterens group in your area go there.. They have a group of people who will help fill out forms and expadite your records.. Even as sick as my husband is it took months.. many E/r visits and a in hospital stay before we were even considered.. I understand from airborn things have changed and it is much more efficent now.. although I still see many veterens waiting for hours when we are at the hospital.. I am curious to know how this will work when the returning vets come home.. Lets hope they get the glitch out of the systum.. good luck Mr coffee

Hi, I am new to the site and need help navigating. I retired with 31 years in the Air Force. I am currently trying to have the VA recognize post active duty diagnoses of Parkinson's disease. I have contacted local congressman and he is helping. I will take any advice you all may have. TimmR

Tim,
First, military.com has a veterans disability forum and there are alot of VSO's who can help you.

good luck
marc

I was in the Air Force 20 years. Aleays keep copies of everything. Keep contacting the VA Request a physical/appointment with the claims section at a local VA hospital. NEVER TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. Write them a long narative about your case and when u do this anticipate questions they will ask about your case and include that. Do the footwork for them. And if they say no the first time appeal it. Hope this helps Andy

I am currently waiting on an appeal for my Ulcerative Colitis. I had a total colectomy with ileanal j pouch because i my whole colon was diseased. So i wrote a letter requesting an increase in my disability rating. I was denied,which made me very upset. I know someone who has ezcema and he was granted an increase from 30 to 60%. I have this major surgery and a total lifestyle change and i am denied. I had the surgeon write a letter to VA board. I'm hoping that helps. I waiting patiently.

I definately agree with Jim's posting, always make copies of everything, make sure you keep your own copy of everything and DEFINATELY get help from some support agency such as the DAV or VFW, even though the VA is there to help us as best they can, the VFW and other organizations will make any process go smoother, I have had many friends that have gotten solutions to their problems only because they got help from someone else. Good luck!

I also opened a claim in May 2007. I have had the claim physical, etc. Still waiting for classification. Thanks Agent Orange.............

Just received my rating decision letter from the VA today with promise of 1st check within 15 days for back pay thru Jul 2007. Best of luck with your claim.

I made 5 copies of my medical record right before being discharged. You're gonna need them!