If the need ever arises for a veteran to file for VA disability, preparations taken while still on active duty make a big difference in the claims process.

“The most important thing that active duty soldiers can do is to get their condition annotated in their medical record,” said Walt Langer, Veterans of Foreign Wars national service officer.

It seems like an easy thing to do, but soldiers can be hesitant to report medical problems because they feel it could affect their career and that making trips to sick call will have negative consequences.

“It’s the culture of the military,” Langer said, for soldiers to think they need to just suck it up and drive on.

NCOs might wonder if medical problems will affect their eligibility for promotion.  But not having a health issue documented is detrimental.

“When it comes time to retire, you’re going to have a tough time explaining how you’ve suffered with it a long time,” said Langer.

Soldiers shouldn’t be reluctant in bringing up the subject of medical problems with their chain of command.

“If there is a legitimate illness or injury … senior leadership should support the member in resolving any and all health issues,” according to Gary Vogel, AMVETS Washington state service officer. “Medical staff are trained to look for service members that are malingerers.” Vogel advises soldiers to “get into a veterans service organization as soon as possible after they get out. The longer they wait, the harder it is to prove service connection.”

Individuals need to be proactive in making sure their health records are maintained in good order. Close attention must be paid to verify that a paper trail exists.

“It’s the soldier’s responsibility to keep track of any illness or injuries incurred while in the service,” said Gene Finney, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Liaison. “An ankle can get sprained in the field, and the soldier sees the platoon medic for help. An ace bandage gets wrapped around it, and the medic tells him to tighten his boot laces for extra support. Often there’s no official record of that treatment. As soon as possible after the incident, the soldier needs to go to a Troop Medical Clinic or dispensary and have it entered in writing.” 

Sometimes it’s possible to get a VA claim approved even if documentation is lacking.

“The VA tries to help when it can,” Finney said. “We have a presumptive period within one year of release from the service and try to presume the condition was present while on active duty.”  Finney recounted a situation where a young National Guard soldier in his 30s returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. Six months after completing the deployment, he had a stroke.

“There was no evidence of any problems while on active duty. But he’s been awarded the cost of his medical bills, and he’s now on Medicaid and was given a service-connected disability,” said Finney.

Besides the actual medical records, a veteran’s DD-214 is a document that needs to be protected as well. Sometimes just having a few copies on hand isn’t enough.

“Veterans can file a copy of their DD-214 with their county auditor free of charge,” said Heidi Audette, communications director for the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. “In the past, veterans were cautioned against filing a copy because they could be easily accessed, and there was concern about identity theft.” But the laws have now been changed specifically for that reason. Protection of privacy has been built into the regulations. “At the time of filing, the veteran can stipulate who has permission to get copies of the document,” said Audette. “A veteran’s DD-214 is crucial in applying for any retired pay or VA pensions.”

For more information about VA compensation, pension, or vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, visit the VA Web site at: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov.