DD214 help/question

That makes sense

 

They are good at deciding what awards are entitled even though they are not listed or even listed wrong on the separation paper. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I've been impressed with their service.

 

Thanks for all your help, am writing a letter for replacement medals as we speak!

 

Just got off the phone with the VA in Cleveland OH, where my grandfather returned to after the war, they would NOT help because I could not come in personally to fill out a request (I live in another state)

 

As next-of-kin, there's no reason they should be denying your initial request. Here is the advice given to me once I received a VA claim number for my deceased grandfather's records:

This number corresponds to a claim
folder with records from his time in the military which is held by
NARA but under the custody of the VA. Put together a short letter
explaining that you are the next of kin(if you are not the next of kin
make sure to have their signature) to the veteran. The next of kin is
the veteran's brother, sister, son or daughter-not grandchildren. You
want duplicates of every single page in his claim file. Include the VA
index sheet I am sending, write out his social security number, his
service number, his date of birth, and the claim file number(if
legible). Include some information on yourself to demonstrate that you
are indeed the next of kin, including a photocopy of your driver's
license and make sure to sign and date the request to make it as
official as possible. I might go as far as to have it notarized.
Lastly, include proof that the veteran is deceased so that it is clear
that you are the person who should have access to his records. Make
sure that you include plenty of contact info such as cell phone, email
and home address. Send the letter to the regional VA office in the
state he lived in when he enlisted. Address the letter to "Senior
Claims Advisor" They have jurisdiction over his file. If you are not
the next of kin you will have to request the file under the Freedom of
Information Act. There will be less paperwork available to you but it
is still possible to find out a lot of information.

 

As I said on the email, they work for the government and so many will say anything to get out of doing anything.
I have gone so far as writing to my Senator to get them off their butts. They do hate Senatorial intervention.
As next of kin you have every right to write for his records. Follow McCabe's advice above- good information.

 

McCabe, thank you so much for that post! Very helpful! I called again because that left me a little irritated, and got someone new on the phone, who said a lot of the same things as in your post, though he didn't mention any thing about an index sheet, or a copy of my Drivers License, everything else was the same though as in your post.

You were right, they had a real chip on their shoulder that I was asking them to do something. I mean, it's not like that that's their job or anything right?