Records

A reminder of our records policy:

When requesting a Medical Release or ROI, wait five business days before issuing a verbal report and final report to allow time for a response. We prefer to avoid concluding without records but will do so if necessary. This applies even to NS reports. Write the report while the information is fresh, but submit it only after the five business days have elapsed.

We wait up to 30 days for records from psychiatric hospitals due to the legal implications of IVC versus voluntary admissions (18 USC Section 922 (g)(4)). Support staff should contact the department weekly for approval to extend this period.

While a verbal NS report is acceptable, please hold off on the final report for up to 30 days to ensure we have all relevant records.

  • No. A VA disability rating for a mental health condition is not, by itself, an automatic disqualifier. It should be considered as one piece of relevant information within the context of the overall evaluation, including the applicant’s current psychological functioning and any other available clinical or collateral information.

    Clinicians should also consider whether the applicant accurately disclosed the VA rating and associated mental health history during the evaluation. If an applicant denies a mental health-related VA rating or condition that is later identified through records or other documentation, the discrepancy should be explored and may be appropriately documented as a potential integrity concern.

    The presence of a VA mental health rating and any discrepancy in its disclosure should be evaluated in context rather than treated independently as an automatic basis for determining suitability.