What impact will the USAF losing years of military records have on disability claims?

Maj Kim Patterson — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 11:39:02 -0400

With hundreds of vets already frustrated with the disability rating system , this may make it completely impossible to verify information. So are disability claims going to get approved or is this a case of hiding any evidence that might have existed to support the claim allowing the VA to take out their favorite stamp "Disapproved" (not enough evidence to support the claim.)

http://www.techworm.net/2016/06/computer-crash-destroys-historical-data-us-air-force-computers.html

Computer crash destroys historical data from US Air Force computers

Years Of United States Air Force Investigation Records Wiped Out Due To Computer Crash More than 100,000 internal investigation records are reported to be

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 18 at 2016 1:21 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 13:21:41 -0400

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html

1973 Fire

Information about military personnel records burned in the fire of 1973 at the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jun 18 at 2016 5:15 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:15:44 -0400

Someone asked if the data was/were backed up somewhere as is usually the case with many or all electronic files of any importance whatsoever. Of course no one will ever be found responsible or accountable for this and everyone will clear everyone else of any wrongdoing or negligence, etc in due course of conducting internal CYA investigations. No one will ever be able to remember what files or the content are missing and a lot of bad apples will continue to profit off the system.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jun 18 at 2016 9:01 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 21:01:00 -0400

Devastating - period. Thousands will lose their lives trying to prove something to the VA. I kept a full copy of my records so I didn't need the Gov. to find anything. I AM a minority my friends...

Response by MSgt Art Busch made Jun 21 at 2016 9:30 AM

MSgt Art Busch — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:30:43 -0400

If you're talking about the 1975 fire, then it adds another layer of complexity to filing a Disability claim to the VA standard. Any lost or destroyed records can't be used to prove service connection and even though "lay statements" are admissible, they aren't given the weight of the original records. Vets may get a civilian opinion about whether their condition was "most likely" caused or happened during military service, but without the civilian doctor reviewing the Service Treatment Record of the Vet, the VA may not concede service connection.

Response by TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn made Jun 21 at 2016 9:35 AM

TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:35:16 -0400

This is absolute Bull Shit, some one needs to bite the bullet on this, maybe go to jail!! Sounds like the government is just trying to screw the vets over some more. Everybody knows there’s back-up both, Lockheed Martin and the Air Force!

Response by SrA Bruce Kersman made Jun 21 at 2016 9:57 AM

SrA Bruce Kersman — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:57:12 -0400

I used to be in admin. and helped DAV brothers get their benefits.. The whole system is ancient and the people that should be helping out brothers and sisters in arms seem to all be corrupt.. I got so frustrated that I got out of admin and the DAV.... Yes, I feel bad, but I did not want to infuriate the new and older vets with my distain... No one is doing ANYTHING to "help and love the vets"!!!!
Thanks for listening; I do my best to stay informed on any improvements; LOL

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Jun 21 at 2016 11:46 AM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 11:46:31 -0400

"...as a database that hosts files from the U.S. Air Force’s inspector general and legislative liaison divisions got corrupted last month..."

Reading through this, doesn't sound like there's going to be any impact at all on VA benefits and disability claims. Unless the vet was charged for Malingering sometime in the past 12 years...

Response by MSgt Msgtroy Foster made Jun 21 at 2016 3:59 PM

MSgt Msgtroy Foster — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:59:31 -0400

The VA DOES NOT REPEAT DOES NOT GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TO VETERANS. THE VA WILL SCREW YOU IF GIVEN THE CHANCE. THEY WILL NOT HONOR YOUR SERVICE. COVER YOUR OWN ASS AND YOUR BUDDIES. TAKE DIGITAL PHOTOS, VOICE RECORDER ETC ON MEMORY EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR DOC7MENTS. THE AIR FORCE WILL DESTROY YOUR RECORDS ON PURPOSE. TRUST THIS MASTER SGT. I KNOW SHIT.

Response by Sgt Mike Sarris made Jun 21 at 2016 6:08 PM

Sgt Mike Sarris — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:08:12 -0400

Thank God my records stopped in 1991...and I got my entire Medical and Dental records immediately after I got out just to be safe!

Response by Maj Dale Smith made Jun 21 at 2016 8:42 PM

Maj Dale Smith — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 20:42:14 -0400

Ahhhh....I even remember my father talking about this. About once every 18-20 years there seemed to be a "fire" at the MRPC, which is where retiree and inactive reserve records are kept. I discovered while I was on active duty, that the only one that really cares about what you did is you. I made copies of everything and have lugged them around the country as I moved after I retired. The really important one is your DD-214 copy 4 that shows how you were discharged. It also shows what your MOS/AFSCs were and all your awards and decorations. Your medical records will show all your past medical history, and you should have had the military submit copies directly to the VA upon your retirement or seperation. They you also should have copies of all your medical records just incase there is another "fire" at MRPC. I would count a computer crash as a "fire".
Good luck.

Response by MSgt Kerry Lundy made Jun 22 at 2016 7:46 AM

MSgt Kerry Lundy — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 07:46:22 -0400

They claim there is no record of me having been in Vietnam assigned to PhuCat AB Aug 69 thru Aug 70 or having been at Tan Son Nuht Aug 71 and MEDIVAC'd from 3rd Field Hospital on 13Jan1972 to USAF Hospital Maxwell AFB Montgomery,Al. To this day I still don't know what medical condition caused my MEDIVAC and the only person I knew who could verify my being at Maxwell AFB Montgomery,Al has since passed away. I was hospitalized from around mid Dec 1970 til late Jan early Feb 1971. We RON Tachikawa AB Japan then on to RON Ft Lewis Wa and then to Maxwell AFB Al. To this day I have never been able to find out what medical condition caused my MEDIVAC. There was nothing ever in my records either. Now for all you medical personnel these were the symptoms if quit moving i.e. sat down or laid down my entire body would go numb from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Had I not been able to see a team of doctors from CONUS who were traveling to various bases I most likely would not be here typing this post I would just be another Nam STAT. I'm not bitter nor am I seeking compensation of any type I just want some answers that's all.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Jun 22 at 2016 11:55 AM

SSgt Michael Cox — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 11:55:39 -0400

When I separated in 2009 I was given a CD with all my medical and shot records on it. If you didn't get that you should have gotten a paper copy of all medical records. As for your DD-214 you need to keep your original secured in a fire box, safety deposit box, or a safe. Do Not take it to the courthouse as then it becomes public record. If you have already separated the worst case scenario hopefully you kept your discharge and out processing paperwork and maybe your enlistment contract.
Also in the NW region the VA went from 15 months down to 2 months turn around for disability claims. And the number one reason I have seen claims disabled is people submit their entire medical records with the claim instead of specific pages that only apply to specific things they want to claim ie. see pages 24, 25, 26 for broken ankle. Some cases can be harder like my claim for Mantle Cell Lymphoma were I am currently waiting for an out of pocket consultation visit with a private cancer doctor to see if he/she will write a Nexus letter for me so I can get my cancer service connected.
Definitely do not do your claim yourself go see a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). Here in Spokane Washington we have them split on different sides of town with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and American Legion at the VA medical Center, while The Purple Heart organization and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are at the Veterans Center. They are trained on how to file claims and have the experience to know what to look for.

Response by 1stSgt Roy Soderberg made Jun 25 at 2016 9:45 AM

1stSgt Roy Soderberg — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 09:45:05 -0400

I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THE AF SCREENED MY MEDICAL RECORDS BEFORE THEY WERE RETIRED. i HAD PAPERS IN THERE THAT SHOWED I WAS EXPOSED TO MANY CHEMICALS WHEN I WAS ASSIGNED TO HAYES IN BIRMINGHAM AL. SEEMS WHEN I RETIRED ALL OF THAT WAS MISSING. ALSO ANY RECORD OF ME BEING OVERSEAS WHILE STATIONED OUT OF WESTOVER AFB MA IS ALSO MISSING. MSG RETIRED ROY SODERBERG

Response by SGT Tracey "Tra" Cooper-Harris made Jun 30 at 2016 1:39 AM

SGT Tracey "Tra" Cooper-Harris — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 01:39:43 -0400

Unfortunately, this will have an impact. The VA uses your military records to collaborate your service connection claims. In lieu of the medical records: Get buddy letters, pictures, civilian medical records,and any other proof to substantiate your claim. And hopefully you have made a copy of your medical records before your separation.

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jul 2 at 2016 1:32 AM

SPC Kirk Gilles — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 01:32:52 -0400

I would say much difficulty. The St Louis fire at the Military records bldg in the seventies still causes problems.

Response by SrA H Carl Hunter made Jan 24 at 2019 6:57 AM

SrA H Carl Hunter — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 06:57:57 -0500

This is a question. Active in 75, honorable in 82, DD-214 says copy 1 through 5 destroyed. Best available document. USAF. What does this mean?