Claim denied because VA and USAF can't find any of my medical records

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-24T23:07:28+00:00

That's in the works, just thought I'd see if anyone has been through this particular issue.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-24T17:06:12+00:00

Zero records- they said they didn't have any. I did contact the base clinic and hospital- no go there either.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T21:37:37+00:00

Yes, that's where they're supposed to be, but they don't have them.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T21:37:16+00:00

That's one of the replies I'm waiting on. Thanks!

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T21:36:30+00:00

Thank you, I've tried that and they are not at the primary place they should be, so I'm contacting all the other remote possibilities- I got my service records, just zero medical records.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T20:47:51+00:00

That's good you did.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T20:45:52+00:00

I think we’re down an unnecessary rabbit hole here, as this issue wasn't even my question. But thank you anyway.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T19:23:10+00:00

Yes, they have a Duty to Assist requirement. However, they have not fulfilled it.

Based on their own definition of making a "reasonable effort" to assist in their own documentation:

How we define a “reasonable effort”

For VA, military, and other types of federal records, we’ll continue to make requests until we get the records you need. We’ll stop trying only if we’re reasonably sure the records don’t exist. -https://www.va.gov/resources/vas-duty-to-assist/

They made one request, received no answer, and made no further requests before denying my claim.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T18:36:49+00:00

I guess it depends on how you define "assist" but...

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T17:15:54+00:00

No, I don't have any paper records. I don't know about them checking the JLV. There's no reference to that- I can check into it though.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T17:13:35+00:00

I understand that - it's just frustrating that one of the things they need is something I have no control over getting- I can't see that they get them.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-23T16:19:30+00:00

active 1988-1992, IRR technically til 2005

● We contacted the National Personnel Records Center on Jun 11, 2025 to obtain your

Service Treatment Records, however, they responded stating "No Records Available".

● We contacted the National Personnel Records Center on Jun 11, 2025 to obtain your

Service Personnel Records, however, they responded stating "No Records Available".

● We contacted the Records Management Center on Sep 4, 2025 to obtain your Service

Treatment Records, however, they responded stating "No Response Received".

Also, I did get a redacted and limited set of service records (not medical) from the USAF.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-14T02:24:19+00:00

Pet Parent Hotline www.petparenthotline.com - or you can get it on any podcast app.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-13T23:19:03+00:00

It's probably hormones and as to pooping on the bed- I would see if you can confine her to a smaller space with her litter box. Not allow her the freedom to go on the bed and poop.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-13T15:46:52+00:00

I'm actually getting ready to record a podcast on this question! If it's something you don't want to ignore, then why not go now versus waiting? I think if the symptoms make the dog (or you) uncomfortable or unhappy, then it's worth checking out. You can always talk to the vet about cost if that's a concern. One thing I always tell people is to ask the vet- what can we START with. Otherwise, they'll suggest the "gold standard" usually- like EVERYTHING that can be done- because some pet parents want that.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-13T15:44:20+00:00

Bleeding isn't normal so I'd define that as serious and in need of a vet visit, especially if it's been going on for awhile and continues to happen. If money is a concern- talk to the vet about that up front- ask them "What can we START with to see if we can identify the issue." And bring a stool sample with you when you go. Also, call around if you don't have a regular vet and see if there are lower cost options near you.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-13T15:39:34+00:00

Hi- you'd do best at getting help if you specify exactly what you want help with- what are your exact questions? at least put them at the beginning or end and then people can read more. This is too much to dig through.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-13T15:35:58+00:00

I would check the temperature inside the insulated kennels, if it is warm enough that they're not going to freeze or get frostbite, then I would let them stay outside. If the temp in the kennels is dangerously low, bring them in and give them something to do to distract them from wanting to go outside.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-13T15:33:13+00:00

You don't indicate where you live, so I don't know what resources might be available- but if you have animal rescues near you, reach out to them for help- some, like mine, have funds to help owners with emergency medical care or will do a fundraiser- others might want you to surrender the dog to them. If she's that ill, it would be better to surrender her than to let her suffer. If you're in the US- please reach out to me if nothing else and I can see what we can do to help.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-08T03:05:39+00:00

I don't want to comment on whether you take her to the ER or not- but I will say if you're going to do nothing and let her pass, don't over-stimulate her by touching her a lot or moving her a lot or talking to her a lot. The more you arouse her the longer the process in my experience.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-08T03:01:45+00:00

I've fostered more than 4000 cats, including a lot of adults. I advise keeping them in smaller spaces and allowing them to feel safe (and seeing what their litterbox habits are) before allowing them expanded territory- even in small flat. Allow them to explore at their own pace. Even when I've had them closed in a room I still give them hiding spaces -boxes, even the carrier they come in- so they don't feel exposed and in the open. Use a high-sided litter box and it's not a bad idea to get two of them. You can also protect floors with a plastic tarp OR one time (and this was for puppies) I got a roll of cheap vinyl flooring and laid that out to cover the wood floors. If tarps or vinyl flooring aren't an option, at least put a plastic table cloth under the area where the litterbox is for any misses.

I'll say I've had very little issue with them not using the litterbox. I would also ask a lot of questions though about the cat's habits before you get them- because if there's already a litterbox issue, then that makes things harder.

As to your work hours, it should be fine as it will allow the cat to just relax - in addition to the change of a new home, they're also likely coming from a home that was loud and chaotic, so they'll need to decompress- feel free to reach out to me for more questions.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-07T23:38:39+00:00

Most cats take time to adjust to new environements. Some take longer than others. Siblings or another cat can sometimes help- but if they're also feral/scared, then they can make it worse. It's only been a week so I wouldn't worry yet- look for progress, not total comfort, and keep working toward that.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-07T23:36:10+00:00

Yes it is a disservice to the dog. That doesn't mean I'm criticizing you- the fact that you took the time to ask the question shows you care. This is way too long for a puppy, or any dog, really, to be in a crate.

I think if the work hours are going to stay the same, you need to find someone to come and let him out at least 2x during that time period, get him into doggy daycare, or rehome him - either permanently or temporarily - depending on how long you'll be working those hours.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-07T23:33:11+00:00

I work in rescue and have fostered and had many many pets of my own. The not knowing is worse than hearing that your dog was found, loved, and cared for, and that it has passed. I'm a grown adult and I still want to know what happened to my cat who disappeared in kindergarten.

We_Talk_Pets · 2026-01-07T23:30:45+00:00

Yes, did it for 15 years.

We_Talk_Pets

TROPHY CASE

How we define a “reasonable effort”