I have a question
about my DOD medical records while I was in the Army. I sent for them about 2 years ago and I received them about a year later.
What I received was mostly blank pages and poor copies of what they did send. How can I even prove a service connected disability
if I do not have any collaboration in my records? Also, I was denied compensation for hearing loss. The reasoning was I did
not apply soon enough. I have gotten hearing aids from the VA but, refused a disability service connection. As with other
issues I have had neck, back and PTSD. I cannot seem to get any help.
A1:
First If you don't have a service officer get one. VFW,DAV,VVA. On records try to get records from where you were treated
or have buddy give statements. Also appeal any negative decision. (MM) 8/11/2016
A2: There are various way however, your question was a little vague. Where you in
combat, sexually assaulted, or a witness of a traumatic event? What type of units did you serve? For any claimed disability
it has to be diagnosed and then you have a doctor state that it's was at least like, equal to 50 percent it occurred in or
caused by service, state means in writing. The best advice would be go to your local VFW, DAV, or American Leagion and speak
to a VSO, Veteran Service Officer and they will gladly fill out the required paperwork at no charge. (PW) 8/11/2016
A3: You could
give the VA one more chance and then if you still are out in the cold, hire a lawyer to take the VA to court. (JK)
8/12/2016
A4:
If you have a Veterans Affairs office in your area,go to it and get a representative. Even if you have to travel a little,
it's worth it. When I filed I was denied as well. I found a representative who could help and I ended up with
50%. It took a couple of years, but it was worth it. (NR) 8/12/2016
A5: Did you request the records thru the VA or directly
from the Army records instead. Contact your congressman about the problem and you should have your records in less than
a month and clear copies. Go to a VSO and would recommend American Legion or VFW for the DAV are over swamped with helping
vets so are slower because of it. Make sure you go thru the records and make copies of the pages that specifically state your
issues about conditions you have gotten in the military or are aggrevated because of the military. Get Statements in
Support of Claim thru other service buddies you served with during that time. Have them send proof of when and where
they served with you for without that the VA will most likely deny they were even there and throw out their statements.
Good Luck. (JRM) 8/12/2016
A6: I would contact
a local state of county VSO for assistance. http://nvf.org/veteran-service-officers/ (RJ) 8/12/2016
A7:
I wish I had the answer to your situation. When I retired from the Corps I requested a copy of my SRB and copy of my Medical
Record. I received a copy of the SRB and a ltr stating they did not know where my MEDREC was. Some years later when applying
for a hearing disability due to spending 22 years in artillery I was denied the disability. My MEDREC had been found and there
was no entry in the MEDREC I was having hearing problems while I was on active duty. How friends of mine after also retiring
from the Corps with no hearing problems when they retired are now drawing disability and have been given free hearing aids
from the VA. One thing you may try that may not cost you any money, is to find an attorney who would appeal your case to the
VA and represent you pro-bono, (free). (WJB) 8/12/2016
A8:
The DAV is not swamped. Most chapters have more than one service officer. VFW and American Legion Posts usually have one VSO,
if any. You can write lay statements, send buddy statements, request daily logs, or hospital reports. There are many ways
to get the evidence to support your claim. You have to get creative, depending on what you need. (AP) 8/15/2016
