How to get the records a VA claim depends on, yourself, from the offices that hold them.
Last checked against official VA and National Archives pages: 23 September 2026.
What VA holds about your claim: applications, decision letters, evidence VA gathered, and exam reports. Often called the C-file.
The written report from each claim exam VA sent you to.
Use the same VA Form 20-10206: online, by mail to Department of Veterans Affairs, Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444, or in person at a VA regional office. You cannot get the results from the exam provider at the appointment. Source: VA claim exam.
Treatment records from VA hospitals and clinics. Treated at more than one facility? Ask each one.
How long VA says: up to 30 calendar days for electronic records, up to 60 for paper records (usually those created before 1998). If it takes longer, VA says it will mail you a letter. If none arrives within 20 calendar days, contact the facility's medical records office. Source: How to get your medical records.
If they are missing, the office depends on your branch and separation date:
| Branch | Separated | Who holds the records |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 16 Oct 1992 – 31 Dec 2013 | VA Records Management Center |
| Army | 1 Jan 2014 on | AMEDD Record Processing Center |
| Navy | 31 Jan 1994 – 31 Dec 2013 | VA Records Management Center |
| Navy and Marine Corps | 1 Jan 2014 on | BUMED Navy Medicine Records Activity |
| Marine Corps | 1 May 1994 – 31 Dec 2013 | VA Records Management Center |
| Air Force and Space Force | 1 May 1994 – 31 Dec 2013 | VA Records Management Center |
| Air Force and Space Force | 1 Jan 2014 on | AF STR Processing Center |
| Coast Guard | 1 Apr 1998 – 30 Sep 2014 | VA Records Management Center |
| Coast Guard | 1 Oct 2014 on | USCG HSWL SC Medical Administration |
Source: National Archives, veterans' medical records. Separated before the first date for your branch? Ask the National Personnel Records Center (File 5).
From the National Archives address list. Confirm them on the day you send.
Discharge papers and your Official Military Personnel File.
Cost: generally no charge for basic personnel and medical record information for veterans, next of kin, and authorized representatives. How long: the center gets about 4,000 to 5,000 requests a day and asks you not to follow up before 90 days.
Applying for VA benefits? VA says it will request your DD-214 when it gets your application. Request your own copy only if you want one in hand. Source: VA, get military service records.
On 12 July 1973 a fire at the center destroyed about 16 to 18 million personnel files: about 80% of Army records for people discharged 1 November 1912 to 1 January 1960, and about 75% of Air Force records for people discharged 25 September 1947 to 1 January 1964 with surnames alphabetically after Hubbard, James E. The center has rebuilt records from other sources, including VA claims files and state records. Send your request anyway. Source: National Archives, the 1973 fire.
Print this page and fill in the dates.
| File | Requested on | How | Follow up after | Arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claims file | VA Form 20-10206 | When you choose | ||
| Exam reports | Same form | When you choose | ||
| VA medical records | My HealtheVet or 10-5345a | 30 days electronic, 60 paper | ||
| Service treatment records | Depends on branch and date | After File 1 arrives | ||
| DD-214 and personnel file | eVetRecs or SF-180 | 90 days |
This guide doesn't tell you what is in your records, whether they support a claim, or what the VA will decide. If a step is out of date, email carson@anchorpointmedicalevidence.com. Please leave out medical details and claim numbers.