TDRL re-evaluation and medical records?

Question

I have been on TDRL for 18 months, and my first re-evaluation appointment is tommorow morning. The letters and info i have gotten have intsructed me to bring copies of all my medical records. The thing is, the clinic im going to (GI clinic)( I have crohn's disease), is the only place i have been a patient at while on TDRL. I havent done anything with the VA. So, is it necessary to bring copies of records to them when they have them anyway? Wouldnt make much sense to me. I just dont want some doctor yelling at me"Why didn't you bring your records?" and me saying " because you already have them!". And do i need to bring active duty records?

Answer 1

I don't think your physical is with the VA, since you are on the TDRL. It's with the military branch which retired you. Bring the records you have. I'm sure the doctor who will be examining you has your MEB and PEB findings and records.  

Answer 2

I have completed my first TDRL eval.  I returned to Walter Reed to do mine.  I took a copy of all my VA ratings and narratives( have you gotten a VA rating based on all of your service connected disabilities??).  Bring ALL of your civilian care and provider records.  I was able to work around the typical having to pay for records by having the Army give me and official letterhead explaining that I needed these records for the TDRL.  You should keep copies of all records that you have ever accrued.  I have 10 3 ring binders completely full of Army, VA, Civilian, Rehab records.  You know how the ARmy can be about losing, that way you will always be able to have the back up.  Bring an original copy of your PEB, MEB.  Remember your rating will NOT change while on TDRL.  They will do the check up to see if your condition is STABILIZED.  Once this is determined then they will go forth with the permenant or RTD.  I am in the process of being MEB PEB 'd for permenant somewhere between 90-100(I'm all messed up from a suicide bomber).  The big thing with what the look at with your ability to RTD is whether you can hold your job that you held based on your MOS and Rank.  I'm sure Crohn's is a no brainer (my sister in law has it).  But defintatly at a minimum take your civilian providers records.  The TDRL liason at Walter Reed told me this is extremely important b/c ti will show the progress or worening of your condidtion over the period of the 18 months and will give them a better picture of you long term and stability of your condition which will help in hopefully getting your PDRL.  Never count on the Army to "have" anything.  Records are a black hole, make sure to protect yourself.  BRING ALL RECORDS JUST IN CASE!  Very important.

Answer 3

When dealing with the VA, bring anything and everything you can get your hands on. That includes any civilian records. It took me 6 years of going round and round with them before I got my service connected disability and what finally turned the tide was a county medical report stating that I could not be hired for the job I wanted do to the severe arthritis in my back and neck.

Answer 4

Bring the ones from the VA.

never. ever. EVER. expect them to actually HAVE something there SUPPOSED to.