VA Docs Required to Respond to Requests
March 1, 2009
Author: Catherine M. Callery (Kate)| Louise M. Tarantino
Ann Biddle, Esq., Paul M. Ryther, Esq.
Advocates know all too well the challenges involved when attempting to get reports and evaluations from treating physicians. Multiply that by the bureaucracy involved in trying to get reports from the Veterans Administration (VA). Those difficulties were further compounded by a VHA Directive issued in 2007, which inferred that VA health providers could not provide information in Social Security and SSI claims.
Thanks to the intervention of NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives), the VA has clarified its policy. VHA Directive 2008-071 (October 29, 2008) will make it significantly easier for veterans to get information from their primary care providers in the VA health system. The Directive clarifies that VA medical personnel are actually required to respond to requests from veterans. VHA Directive 2008-071 is available as DAP #517 on the Online Resource Center.
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