I made a few requests to them this year for historic BIA decisions and related materials. I actually got my records so I can't complain a ton. Happy to talk if nobody else has more experience!

I think some get burned and coke get fulfilled. Apparently they only started submitting the requests to the records center electronically in like 2022. They had been using paper forms until then…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka_c...

And look at crazy Eddie up to no good!

I know nothing about coding so that’s one part of the website that I had nothing to do with… but I’m sure Brooke at @reclaimtherecords.org will be interested

This is beautiful.

Me: this is obviously the correct and proper ruling.
Also me: This sucks.

I keep them very brief, unless I have a specific reason this should be complex. I basically say "he has a card, look at the card" or "he's in BIRLS look at BIRLS" and enclose an image of the card/ BIRLS entry. I often have to write very complex FOIA appeals. These are not one of those times.

This was the actual text: I am writing to appeal the denial of Neil Armstrong's XC File. I provided his VAMI card with the original request, which clearly shows his XC Number to be 17752206. The VBA even noted this number on the response letter. Please have the VBA conduct a proper search. Thank you

and we didn't even need a lawsuit!

Its roughly: “you nitwits didn’t actually search”

The handout from the talk has the instructions on how to submit a FOIA request to them (there's a form). If he's in BIRLS, you shouldn't need the card from the VAMI but because they're so incompetent, it's useful to get it so you can provide the XC Number. For that, you can email NARA St Louis

The XC Files are eligible to transfer to NARA 60 years after the date the VA retires the file. In reality, the only files that have moved are files that were closed in 1955 or earlier, and even then it's sporadic. All the rest (the vast majority) require a FOIA request to the VA.