In this digital age, why are Veterans waiting months or even years to get copies of their records sent to them (or even a claim file that is outdated by the time it even gets to them)? Meanwhile, those records are likely easily accessible in electronic form. A simple login system could be provided to Veterans to give them access, including to C&P opinions. Many organizations such as state workers compensation programs even let injured workers have direct access to the records in their claim files.
As a stop gap: It is common practice for attorneys to release records, with the Veteran’s permission, to medical experts. Why can’t the rules be changed so VSO’s and VA accredited representatives operate in a similar manner and be allowed to release records, with the Veteran’s permission, to medical experts the Veteran is using? Many representatives can see the evidence but are not able to give that evidence to the Veteran as they are not the custodian of the records. The rules should change to provide clarification that lets them operate in a manner more consistent with how attorneys operate when relating with medical experts (including by being able to access the records and release them to medical experts).
The FOIA system is failing Veterans due to extremely long delays getting records.
If the VA process is truly non-adversarial, then Veterans with claims should be allowed to log in and see the up to date information in their claims, and be allowed to give that information to the medical experts that they are allowed to hire for second opinions.