How do I get my Army medical records to submit a VA claim?

See my post below, and it isn't just one year i was able to help my father get his disability claim done 20 years later at a 65% rating with 15 years back pay. He would have received the full 20 years back pay but he was in federal prison for 5 years.

hello im jaime, i have had help from a Air Force recruiter as well as assistance from a local vet outreach program in my hometown.also a good place to get advice and help is from a local V.F.W.
airtaz

The first thing you need to do is get your claim filed.the VA will go out for the records. Get the claim file regardless if you have your medical records. You do not want to lise that effective date. However, be specific what units you were with in case NARA does not have them. The VA is required to go out to your previous units to get those records. The VA will make several attempts to get those records. Also, work with a Veteran Service Officer (DAV, American legion, VFW, etc).

Location you out processed should have them for 6 years after or you can request an appointment on Post for what they have noted in the system for you. When they hit print it usually creates its own forms that are used in transfer packets.

You have to send a request to St Louis National Personnel Records Center. This takes a very long time so absolutely don't delay. If you can get the ascension data and shipping data when your records were sent to them, that would help. That tells NPRC where they need to look for it. One of my duties in the Navy was retiring records to them.

Colonel,

SF180 (any internet search will bring it up). You can mail it or fax it. If you choose to mail it, pay particular attention to the address to send it to (different addresses for different services and/or dates of separation). If you have extensive medical records, it can take several months to receive them (someone has to eye-ball each and every page and redact any privacy info that isn't yours)...used to be SSAN's were part of medical personnel sig. blocks.

That being said, if your medical records have been properly warehoused the VA should have no trouble requesting and pulling those records for any service connected injury or illness you claim that is chronic/on-going and affects your life today. Even if you decide to let the VA bird-dog the records for you, I would still order them for no other reason than to have them in your possession. Whatever you do, DO NOT miss the one year suspense waiting on medical records...you'll lose the date of claim going back to your date of separation. Get the claim filed within the year for sure.

When completing the 21-526EZ fill out a 21-686c also...get the spouse and any kids that are unmarried and under the age of 18 (23 if they're full time students). Reason being, if you're combined rating is 30% or more there is an additional compensation (small) for dependents. 50% combined or combat related is the key to being authorized concurrent retirement pay and VA benefit. If you're under the 50% and not combat related, DFAS reduces your retirement dollar for dollar by the VA compensation amount...the only monetary benefit then is that the VA portion is tax-free.

you can request them online. after you request them, they is a sheet you have to print the sheet and sign, than fax it to the number they are going to give you.

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

COL Thompson, I would suggest you get intouch with your local American Legion or VFW. They are usually able to make things happen for you. I went through the process in 2003 for Medical Retirement, and the Legion took care of everthing for me, I just signed paperwork when it came in.

You may want to speak with Senator Joni Ernst (she is a member of the Armed Services Committee and a veteran herself). When I went through this 6 years ago, I went through the then Senator Carl Levin (at the time, he qas Cair of the Armed Services Committee) and his office did all the work, getting me a copy of my complete Army file (right down to my first PT Test results) and all I needed was to prove who I am and sign aa couple forms.

VA has a duty to assist based upon the VCAA, Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. They will request your STRs (Service Treatment Records) but will always ask the claimant if he/she has a copy. If you do not let them know. If they aren't able to obtain, they will let you know.