If you are NOT yet at 100%, this is for you.

We’ve sent posts like this before, however, the importance of it is such that we will occasionally send them again as reminders to advocate for yourself.

1. You need to be scheduling your OWN appointments with your own doctors for conditions/claims contained and submitted on your VA A Form 4138. (Remember, If there are NO diagnoses for a condition/claim when VA received your submitted claims, what are they to do? They DENY as it’s the only option at THAT moment. You will STILL be sent to VA examiners to receive a diagnosis but some degree of existence of a condition needs to exist.

2. EVERY MONTH ON THE SAME DAY, do this. (Set an alarm on your phone that repeats same day and time every month to remind you.) CAL 800.827.1000 and ask VA “Hows my claim progressing?” “What’s the status of my records request I asked for on my initially submitted 4138?”

The second one may prompt VA to come out of the anesthesia and say something like, “Um. We actually need you to complete a FOIA request.”

You respond, “Fine. Email it to me so I can complete it.”

NEVER, EVER send anything back to VA.

You ALWAYS send SOS everything so we may track it and prepare a follow up document if necessary.

THEN, when you arrive at your 100% you earned, your pride will be validated and your work has paid off.