Posted on Nov 26, 2015
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.
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Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 14
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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 : )
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 : )
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TSgt Gwen Walcott
"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 : )"
Talk about changes from 50 years ago.
Then it was, "Medical Records are Federal Documents. You may not Fold, Spindle, Mutilate, OPEN, REQUEST, or VIEW them -- under penalty of imprisonment, per the UCMJ"
Talk about changes from 50 years ago.
Then it was, "Medical Records are Federal Documents. You may not Fold, Spindle, Mutilate, OPEN, REQUEST, or VIEW them -- under penalty of imprisonment, per the UCMJ"
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TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
TSgt Gwen Walcott - Haha yes times have changed. You can request 1 copy for free, but I think they charge for the 2 d set. But it is important that you keep a second copy. I gave 1 set to the VA and I keep my personal copy in my safe at home. We have gone through too much not to receive a copy. I have heard too many stories not to do this.
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AB Paul Hammock
Your military medical recotds should be here http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/
You can request a copy of them. When I requested my VA claim file, it to them a year and 8 months to send them to me. I finally received a disc that wasmy VA claim file & included my military service medical records. I had to email the Under Secretary (at that time) Allison Hickey to finally get the disc.
You can request a copy of them. When I requested my VA claim file, it to them a year and 8 months to send them to me. I finally received a disc that wasmy VA claim file & included my military service medical records. I had to email the Under Secretary (at that time) Allison Hickey to finally get the disc.
Information about Military Personnel Records at the National Archives facility in St. Louis, Missouri
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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.
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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.
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Sgt Judy Leonard
I don't know your details Elizabeth but if you need assistance getting your benefits contact me I can help you.
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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.
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/other-medical-records.html.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
VA is not the custodian of military health records upon separation, it's another federal agency, National Archives. When a veteran or family member requests records from the National Archives, one of the blocks on the form asks if the need is for VA medical claim. If the answer is yes, the National Archives generally won't send the records, because VA will be requesting them upon receipt of a VA Claim. The National Archives also many times just sends basic information. And in the communication they send with the records, it indicates if more is needed, one needs to resubmit the request citing that particular file number. If I guess correctly, I thought there was a time period for that follow up request. I don't have a copy of mine in front of me right now to verify.
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SPC Paul Jennings, J.D.
Maj Kevin Billups - This is directly from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. If you would like to rebut this legal argument feel free to provide citation to either case law, statute, or federal regulation that supports your assertion.
"In November 2008, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) provided the RO with additional separation documents and SMRs; however, the NPRC also noted that outpatient military health records were maintained at VA's Records Management Center."
Yorns v. Shinseki, No. 11-3645, 2012 WL 5993750, at *2 (Vet. App. Nov. 30, 2012)
"In November 2008, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) provided the RO with additional separation documents and SMRs; however, the NPRC also noted that outpatient military health records were maintained at VA's Records Management Center."
Yorns v. Shinseki, No. 11-3645, 2012 WL 5993750, at *2 (Vet. App. Nov. 30, 2012)
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
CPT Amy Jennings - I stand corrected. Thank you for enlightening me. Seems the process to request the records from the National Archives are still intact, the request just gets handed over to the satellite office VA has at the Archives.
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Sgt Judy Leonard
That's good to hear. I guess I spoke to soon my apology. But really I don't think I'd trust them to transfer and file the records. I think it is important to check to make sure it's been done.
Thanks Paul
Thanks Paul
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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...
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SrA Chandler Tuscany
Ugh the struggle I called multiple times and they keep transferring me to someone else. I need my ankle fixed bad broke it over 3 times while I was in and seems to get worse every day
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Sgt Judy Leonard
They shouldn't need VA records then, just active duty records. Unless you had treatment at a VA too.
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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.
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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
@Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. in all my years, I have never heard of a VA team going to a private doctor and confiscating a veteran's medical documentation held by a private physician. However, VA has requested copies of records from private physicians and they do so by authority given to them by the veteran who signs a release.
What was the purpose of the team? Was the doctor involved in some fraudulent activity? Were the veterans part of some black ops team?
What was the purpose of the team? Was the doctor involved in some fraudulent activity? Were the veterans part of some black ops team?
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Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D.
According to the clinic's administration, the VA arrived to do an audit and said that since the partnership operating the local off-site VA Clinic (separate bldg) had a contract with the VA. The local contract VA clinic was located next door, and they were converting all records to electronic transmissions to the VA. The audit team claimed they had the right to all veterans' records and took them.
No the doctors were not involved in any fraudulent activity. The Off-site VA clinic is still in operation two years after this incident happened. They Little Rock VA team didn't make copies but instead took all of the records of veterans over the initial objections of the Clinics record's clerk. What can I say? It happened! No veterans were advised. When I went in for an emergency, I learned the office staff had to begin a new record on me because my former records were taken. Fortunately the accounting department, my doctor, and his chief nurse knew that I was a regular patient for years.
No the doctors were not involved in any fraudulent activity. The Off-site VA clinic is still in operation two years after this incident happened. They Little Rock VA team didn't make copies but instead took all of the records of veterans over the initial objections of the Clinics record's clerk. What can I say? It happened! No veterans were advised. When I went in for an emergency, I learned the office staff had to begin a new record on me because my former records were taken. Fortunately the accounting department, my doctor, and his chief nurse knew that I was a regular patient for years.
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