VA Form 21-4142 to Update VA Form 21-526

Yesterday I received another package from the Department of Veterans Affairs: in the cover letter they tell me about the (Tiger Team) at the Cleveland Regional Office. This team will work on my claim and once it’s complete, it will be returned to the regional office in my home state. However they need additional information and evidence in addition to the information submitted with Form 21-526 in which I rightfully claim all the injuries and ailments as a result of being in combat in the Korean War. In the 22-page-package, I am to complete and submit 12 pages of information on VA Form 21-4142 about my injuries and what treatment I receive and where?

This is the problem Senator George Voinovich (Ohio) discussed on the radio the day I went for my eye examination. Much work and hard One questions about your service and in my case the total record was destroyed while in the care of the Federal Government. question ask you to tell the VA how many time your present spouse have been and where and when did he/she get married? This process can and sometime do take months before you get a decision. The VA states correctly when they say that I was notified on February 11, 1955 that my claim had been denied. Almost every time I went to see my private doctors I told them why I had the leg pains and problems with my eyes and nose. In the addendum to Form 21-526 I explained why I didn’t appeal in 1955 and why I waited 55 years before applying for benefits: the reason? I had insurance so I could see my doctors as my health needs required. Senator Voinovich said that these forms should be made easier and the questions should not be so difficult, or at least could be made easier in some cases.

It will take me all of next week to complete Form 21-4142, because they want the name and address of the doctors and hospitals that treated me for the health problems that I list on the form. Yes, I am agreeing with the Senator this is hard work when you have to give the phone number and address of your doctors fifty years ago. My wife read and article in the Plain Dealer newspaper, in the article the reporters follow a disabled veteran’s application for financial aid for his wife because she had to help him because of his service connected injuries, the VA denied the request until a VSO (Veteran Service Organization) got involved. My wife said that the VA approved it and stated that the single person (at the VA) that reviewed the application made a mistake, so now the Veteran’s wife will receive the benefits. The VA admits that the mistake is 12 to 15 percent. The recommendations, always appeal and join a VSO, they get the job done for you.