Thread: Lost medical record, did you make a copy of your records? I did not.

Sorry to hear about your medical struggles. Its hard to believe how they have completely lost all the records. No hard copy backups or nothin? What about those stolen laptops from the VA? I wonder if that incident could have effected your situation. My son is a Marine stationed at Pendelton. He is 19yrs old and has been to Iraq once and will be going back again. While I cant give specific advice I would like to thank you for your service to our country. I am extreemly proud of all our service members and vets. We need to take better care of them. I hope your troubles can be resolved ASAP.

Semper Fi

Show-me,

My first job was as a VA claims adjudicator (school and medical claims).

If the veteran called in with a claim or a question, the request was handled by a GS3/4 who didn't know the law and would say anything.

If we got a letter from the veteran, I handled it (GS-5).

However, if we got a letter from the VFW, the American Legion (AL), a congressman, or a lawyer written on behalf of the veteran, we were VERY careful to get the right answer and coordinate it up our chain. In fact, we had full-time VFW and AL representatives stationed in our office.

Therefore, I'd suggest enlisting the support of your congressman, the VFW/AL, or a lawyer in that order. Note, beating up the VA is one of the constituent services congressmen offer. In addition, I'm sure all congressmen and their staffs will be highly responsive to their constituents between now and Nov 7th.

I'm sorry to hear that the USMC wasn't much help. Good luck!

Thanks guys! First of all I am doing well. Being ill gives you different perspective on living. It is a very slow grower so they have been able to keep up with it.

Here's what I've learned so far. Talked to a Disabled American Veterans Rep. (DAV) and my VA rep. I'm screwed! It was explained to me that some "file clerk" may of had a bad day and "stuck it" in the wrong place. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. So my record "IS" at the VA but my record is "LOST" among 20 million other records. What to help me look? LOL

No electronic copies and from what the DAV guy told me was politicians are worthless. LOL Something we didn't know. My best advice was to actually go the the VA RMC to personally request my record, I have some vacation time coming. I guess that sends up some red flags when you do that and gives you higher priority. I also have a super secret number to a top VA manager.

Originally Posted by Show-me

Thanks guys! First of all I am doing well. Being ill gives you different perspective on living. It is a very slow grower so they have been able to keep up with it.
...No electronic copies and from what the DAV guy told me was politicians are worthless. LOL Something we didn't know..

I guess the position & level of the policitian may be the key to whether they are `worthless' or not. Hammerschmidt was one who could go the limit. Can you give a guess at what date they were last seen, & where??

Thank you on the medical up-date, Show-me; you continue to have prayers..........including the recovery of your records.
Grandma

In March 1997 when they were turned over to the VA and thank you.

Originally Posted by grandma

Can you give a guess at what date they were last seen, & where??

Thank you on the medical up-date, Show-me; you continue to have prayers..........including the recovery of your records.
Grandma

Show-me,
Not as a moderator, but as a member, I've inspected Indian Affairs hospitals, VA hospitals, etc. There is a big difference that should not exist, it's not a government personel matter as much as it is a government matter. The disability does not show the needed help for vets.

Evidence: see a parking lot by a VA hospital vs a parking lot at any other hospital.........................Spaf

Originally Posted by Show-me

I debated on doing this for many months and came to the conclusion that TSPTalk is a great way to network with people all over the country and in may different Agencies. I sent a blanket e-mail to all my USMC buddies in hopes for some help, soooo why not here. Every computer in the county sez my records are in the VA records center in St. Louis. The VA sez they can not find them. I have call USMC HQ, NPRC, USMC Reserve Center in KC and got nada. Any help would be appreciated.

All you military folks: MAKE A COPY OF YOUR RECORDS.


I hope that you and your families are well. I am trying to locate my military medical record from the VA and have almost exhausted all avenues with the exception of write you all and my elected officials. I would rather write you all first. LOL I have been diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in 1998 (MTC Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma), very deadly but very slow growing cancer that can be monitored with blood test and PET Scans. I have had 4 surgeries to remove the main tumor and nodes. Other that a scar that runs from ear to ear and below my Adam's Apple I am fine. Living a good life and enjoying every single day. My cancer is unique because everywhere I have had pain there has been a confirmed PET scan uptake. This is unusual because "cancer don't hurt" according to the medical world, that philosophy is changing. I started to have this pain PTing around Navy Lake at Camp Pen. and when I was finally correctly diagnosed the removal of the tumor did eliminate that old pain. I did claim this pain during my separation physical and I do not have a copy of my Medical Records so without my records I'm screwed.

Anyway my point is to inform and ask a few questions.

Anyone out there with this cancer or any thyroid cancer? There are four types.

Anyone having trouble locating records?

Any advice period.

I am at the end of my rope and need to get some outside advice. Any help would be appreciated more than I could express. I was in the first Gulf War and if you could pass this e-mail on I would really appreciate it. Here is my address and phone number. Write, call, e-mail, I don't care.

In advance, thank you and Semper Fi.

Show-me,

A good place to talk it up with other vets that have similar situations. Asking that question on this board might get you some help. It is possible to get that cancer service connected. Good luck!

http://p203.ezboard.com/bvetbenefits

http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/va...thyroid+cancer

search thyroid cancer, read about similar claims.