Has the Army become any better about recommending transistioning Soldiers document their injuries, illnesses, etc for the VA?

2015-04-09T11:02:24-04:00

I completed my initial contract in 2005 and came off of active duty. At no point in my active career, did a leader tell me to document everything. I had copies of most things but did not everything nor did I go to sickcall for everything either. I just sucked it up, took motrin and drove on, like most of y'all do, I'm sure. So has any got any better? Are Soldiers coming out and processing into the VA easier and getting claims easier?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 9 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-04-09T11:06:46-04:00

The issue isn't "transitioning" members but "active" members.

It's great to have documentation during your final physical, it's far better to have a document chain that stretches 4-30 years which actually shows when & where the injuries occurred.

We avoid medical, because it impacts mission.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Apr 9 at 2015 11:32 AM

2015-04-09T11:32:41-04:00

As a DAV service officer, I can't tell you how many times I dealt with soldiers whose treatment records from combat deployments were non-existant. Whether it was a problem in medical, a problem in the G1/S1/N1 whatever, or in the case of field treatment, that no records even existed, these things are always undocumented...

It is vital that deployed troops be informed that if they are sick or injured and treated in the field, get evaluated and treated at the FOB or whatever, and if possible, get copies of the treatment records. Just because the records are on computer does not guarantee that they will get back home. Especially with deployed laptops that didn't tie into the network for various reasons...

Then, when returning to your home base/post/whatever, go to medical and get the condition re-evaluated and get follow-on treatment as required. This way, the troops can ensure that their issues get into their records.

In the civilian world, most providers give summaries of treatment to patients. Even the VA does it. If the military would do this as well, it would not be so much of an issue for the troops...

Something for the Medical and '1 worlds to figure out...