Has anyone had any issues with the VA? They told me they have none of my medical records just proof of me serving in the military.

SrA Chandler Tuscany — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 11:50:00 -0500

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 26 at 2015 12:37 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:37:58 -0500

VA won't have your medical record until they request and get it from the Service. It's usually the Service that botches the archiving. That's why it's always recommended to copy your entire record just before you punch out. Things can go missing from that point on.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2015 12:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:38:37 -0500

That's how it goes, SrA Chandler Tuscany. Medical records are not shared among federal agencies, mostly due to HIPPA and other laws. In order to get started, you'll either need to build a medical record from scratch through examinations at the VA Medical Center or bring copies of your medical records with you.
The VA can also request medical records from the Army if you sign a release, but I would advise you to be proactive and get them yourself, if you can.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2015 1:35 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 13:35:11 -0500

Nope, as others have stated- they won't have your medical records. It's best to try to request all your medical records. You can have the VA request the record themselves, but you know how that goes...

Response by SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. made Nov 26 at 2015 2:06 PM

SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 14:06:25 -0500

Actually, the VA is the custodian of all military health records after separation. The services will forward your health records to the VA for archiving. However, if you just recently separated it may take a few weeks for this to happen. As such, you could try and request the records from your local military service treatment center, which also helps to ensure that you have a full and accurate copy.

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/other-medical-records.html.

Response by SPC Elizabeth Pello made Nov 26 at 2015 2:09 PM

SPC Elizabeth Pello — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 14:09:29 -0500

I have issues. I joined during the global war on terror. I was medically discharged. They told me I don't qualify for benefits because my discharge was not service related. Even though I meet the requirements. They say I dont. Try to dig them up yourself and throw then in their face after you make copies like a million because they will loose those too.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 26 at 2015 3:51 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 15:51:03 -0500

If you haven't been seen previously by them for anything, then they will not. Your military medical records will not "automatically" transfer over to them, and the VA medical records they maintain on you begins with your first medical visit to them. If you are filing for benefits, you will need to provide them with copies of the appropriate issue from your military medical records, and they will do their own assessments to include in your "VA Medical Records". Whatever medical issues you experienced in the military, ensure you are being seen by the VA in their health care system for those same issues. I hope this helps.

Response by TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan made Nov 26 at 2015 4:28 PM

TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 16:28:33 -0500

Maybe someone has already responded but you have to provide them a copy of all of your medical records. Once you leave DOD they send your records to a warehouse with everyone else's.
While I was in I always told AD to ensure they request a copy of their medical records, 2 if you can so that you keep one copy for yourself and give the other copy to the VA because you will never see that copy again : )

Response by Sgt Judy Leonard made Nov 26 at 2015 4:53 PM

Sgt Judy Leonard — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 16:53:41 -0500

Are they at a different VA?

Response by 1stSgt Steve Larson made Nov 27 at 2015 3:50 AM

1stSgt Steve Larson — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:50:42 -0500

I went to my medical unit, got a copy of everything and personally gave it to the VA. Then before retiring ( make sure this is before you leave the base) I made another complete copy for my home records. Haven't had a problem since.

Response by SrA Christine Martinez made Nov 27 at 2015 12:18 PM

SrA Christine Martinez — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 12:18:11 -0500

I've had, and still have issues with the Veterans Affairs.
When I separated from the Air Force in 1994, it was not the norm for service-personnel to automatically file disability/compensation claims. In 2008, while in Seattle, I met with a counselor from Transition Assistance who encouraged me to apply for an increase of my service-connected disability, which was rated at less than 10%, although it was acknowledged to be service-connected, because my symptoms were returning. I never heard from the VA until 2010, more than three months after I left Washington for a USAF-civilian position in Colorado. The communication I received advised me I had been scheduled to meet with a specialist in Seattle. Thanks, VA, but I live in CO now.
Two years later I was hired as a civilian-contractor and prepared to deploy to Afghanistan. I signed up for a Provider through the Denver VA, received my Physical and Dental approvals to deploy, and reported to the Deployment Center.
While waiting for my security clearance to be processed after completing all of the required training modules, the company sent me 'home. 'Home' that is, that consisted of all of my household goods in boxes in my sister's basement in Iowa, as she had agreed to become my children's guardian during my 1-yr deployment. I could not wait to be paid when my boots hit the ground in AFG, so I took a temporary position as a Forklift Driver. The client changed my job duties, and I dutifully reported this to the temp agency. I was tasked to lift {{heavy}} tractor parts in the Repack section of Ryder Transport. Although my left arm was bruised from my inner elbow to my inner wrist, I didn't know I was injured... dislocating two vertebrae in my neck. I sought treatment at the local civilian hospital in Waterloo, IA, and a week later made a 2-hr (one-way) trip from Waterloo to Iowa City, IA to seek treatment through the Emergency Room at the VA hospital.
I was diagnosed with Radiculopathy, and assessed as 100% Non-Service Connected Disabled.
Two weeks later I returned to Denver, injured, but assured of medical treatment.
My children and I were homeless, and when I reached out to the VA to seek assistance through the HUD/VASH program, I was turned away... told the voucher program was specifically for men who had PTSD, or alcohol/drug-dependencies that required active case management.
Gee, thanks.
Nothing like the VA telling you that almost eight years of your life doesn't mean a thing when it comes to determining who gets VA benefits/programs, and who doesn't.
Four months later I applied for a Pension based on the 100% Non-Service Connected Disability, during a Homeless Veterans' Stand Down. My application was expedited, thank you to whomever processed it, but... I view dealing with the VA like I view dealing with the military: dot your 'i's and cross your 't's, and keep a copy of everything. I submitted my children's birth certificates and SSN cards with my Pension application. This wasn't my first dog & pony show at the rodeo.
Somebody processed it as a Single veteran. When I brought this to the attention of the VA the first week of January 2013, I was told I would have to file an amendment to my application, because somebody didn't do their job properly.
It took me 9 months of following up with the VA to get a 10-minute phone call from the Minneapolis office that handles Dependents, for a case manager/supervisor to verify I have (2) Dependents. Okay, so he added my Dependents to my record and the VA paid me retroactively for the 10-months of Pension paid at the Single rate.
During this time, actually right after my Pension began, my monthly disbursement dropped by almost $150-160 per month for the first quarter of 2013. So not only was I *NOT* getting the correct rate, I wasn't even getting the Single veteran rate... later, in June or July of 2014 I discovered it was because I had been charged for medications when I was, in fact, exempt from Medical co-pays and Medication charges.
Why?
Because when whomever entered my Eligibility information into the computer, they made a typo.
Instead of entering my Eligibility date as Nov. 12, 2012, they entered '2013'. So when the Billing system (computer) ran the IF/THEN qualifiers to determine whether or not I should be billed, the computer determined I wasn't exempt until November 2013.
Awesome.
Not so much.
I contacted the Denver VA hospital to have the charges reimbursed. A year later I was STILL waiting for almost $600 of my Pension to be returned to me.
Oh, and because the VA changed the way Travel Pay reimburses the veteran for travel to/from appointments (no more cash paid from claim vouchers), I had submitted financial information for a reloadable Mastercard.
When I was calling the VA every 2 weeks this past summer, and calling the Patient Advocate's Office, I got no response from the individual who was identified as the only one to make the reimbursement happen, and the PA was no support.
A week and a half ago, on Nov. 17, 2015, I discovered, based on another Patient Advocate contacting me after yet another set of phone calls to their office, that $160.36 had been deposited to the account info on file. I forgot about the Mastercard, so I told the PA I had contacted my financial institution and they have verified no other deposits other than the Direct Deposit of my Pension. The PA gave me account info where the money had been deposited and left me to track it down. She called me that afternoon to tell me they were still working on a repayment of $359.
More than a year after seeking reimbursement, the burden of proof for the charges were tossed at me by the PA, and after numerous phone calls to EVERY department of the VA except Education/Retraining and Burial, and it's finally being processed.
Every interaction I've had with the VA has been one cluster-you-know-what after another.
People don't do their jobs properly, there's no accountability for the unprofessionalism, and they do little more than give lip-service to the "Thank you for your service" when they put all the stress of getting errors corrected on the veteran.
If I wanted to work for the VA, I would have applied to them as a job applicant. Really, I would have.
Moral of the story: keep a copy of everything you submit to them. They will either lose the original or someone will FUBAR your application(s) and records. Stay on top of them. If they tell you they will get you an appointment or a program, write down that person's name and email/phone contact. Follow up with them if you don't get the promised care or benefit within 30 days.
And one more thing: NONE of the VA's computer systems from one department to another talks to, or exchanges information with another department. So if you need to complete a change of address or update your service file, you'll have to call each department - VBA (Benefits), Eligibility, Medical, and Billing independently, and submit that information.
--Sorry for the lengthy story but there were several issues.--CM

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Nov 27 at 2015 12:54 PM

Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 12:54:11 -0500

While, I am on record with the VA because of a service connected disability, I have used TRICARE since I retired form the military. A couple years ago, a VA team came to my doctors office and confiscated my personal medical records (along with other veterans) even though I was not using the contracted VA clinic (separate facility) associated with that doctor's office.

I contacted the VA who totally ignored by written request to provide me a copy of my records which they took from my civilian doctor's office (which covered almost 20 years). I also had my doctor's office file for a copy. While I have a copy of most of my medical records at home, I became too lax or trusting over the last 20 yrs and had not always asked for a copy of my lab reports, record of shots, treatment of injuries, etc. from my doctor. Regardless, the experience of the VA going into the civilian side of the operation and taking my personal medical records without notification or agreeing to provide me a copy of those records was despicable.

This same VA Hospital has been cited for its failure in providing timely or adequate care to veterans at their facilities.

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Nov 27 at 2015 5:14 PM

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 17:14:39 -0500

I requested my military/ medical records from St Louis a year ago. Six months ago I got a letter requesting a death certificate if I was requesting records of a deceased spouse. My name while active duty is different than now because of marriage. I resubmitted the request in my original name and I'm still waiting. I guess you could say I've had issues. Fortunately I have my original DD-214 so I receive medical care from VA. I just can't get rated without records.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 27 at 2015 10:12 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 22:12:02 -0500

This question is a bit broad and understandably. VA has three agencies, National Cemetery, Veterans Health and Veterans Benefits. Obvious, you are not referring to the Cemetery. But which of the other two are you referring to? Did you go to a VA Medical Center/clinic and were told they don't have your records? They may not, if you hadn't previously filed a claim from the Benefits side of the house. So the suggestions by others herein to provide them a copy if you have it, isn't a bad suggestion. But don't give them your copy, have them make a copy of your copy.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2015 5:02 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 17:02:49 -0500

email me i can check and let u know what records are available electronically (anything 2005~6 to present),older or prior svce records are accessible also, u can upload ur str and other treatment records via ebenefits have u registered for VA care 1st and/or filed a VA claim yet? [login to see] .mil