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Getting Copies of Military Records |
When filing for any Veteran-related benefit, you're likely to need copies of military service
or medical records. Ideally, you should get copies of everything before leaving the service.
If that's not possible, no worries. With a few extra steps you can find everything you need.
Getting Records from the National Archives
Through the National Archives Military Personnel Records Department you can get copies
of your DD214 (proof of military service) and other service and medical records. The
process is pretty straight forward. As a Veteran or the next-of-kin of a Veteran, you can
either:
(1) Fill out a SF-180 (CLICK HERE to download) and fax it to 314-801-9195or by mail it to:
(2) Fill out the SF-180 online (CLICK HERE to go to that site) and then print out and fax or
mail in the signature page within 20 days of your online request (using the same fax
number and mailing address above).
The National Archives may not have your medical records. In our case, and in the case of
many Veterans, medical records are held by the VA.
Getting Records from the Veterans Administration
Many people who are new to the Veterans Administration don't realize that the medical side
of the VA and the claims (disability compensation) side of the VA are actually two separate
organizations within the VA. Normally, active duty medical records are held by the part of
the VA that handles claims. To get a copy from them, you'll need to find your closest
Veterans Administration Regional Office (VARO). CLICK HERE to go to the VA's facility
locator and find your local office. Then send them a letter that says you are requesting a
copy of all records pertaining to you that they have on file (this is sometimes known as your
"C File" or "Case File").
If you have received any treatment through the VA (medical side), you'll need to request
those records from the "Release of Information" office at your local VA Medical Center
(VAMC). To do that, send a letter to your VAMC (find it by CLICKING HERE) to the
attention of the "Release of Information Office" that says your requesting a copy of all of
your treatment records. You're entitled to one free copy of every "treatment record" (a
phrase the VA often uses... it means the same thing as "Medical Records").
To be on the safe side, it doesn't hurt to just request the information from both the VA and
the National Archives. You'll get copies of what they have, and if they don't have anything,
they'll send a letter telling you just that.
or medical records. Ideally, you should get copies of everything before leaving the service.
If that's not possible, no worries. With a few extra steps you can find everything you need.
Getting Records from the National Archives
Through the National Archives Military Personnel Records Department you can get copies
of your DD214 (proof of military service) and other service and medical records. The
process is pretty straight forward. As a Veteran or the next-of-kin of a Veteran, you can
either:
(1) Fill out a SF-180 (CLICK HERE to download) and fax it to 314-801-9195or by mail it to:
(2) Fill out the SF-180 online (CLICK HERE to go to that site) and then print out and fax or
mail in the signature page within 20 days of your online request (using the same fax
number and mailing address above).
The National Archives may not have your medical records. In our case, and in the case of
many Veterans, medical records are held by the VA.
Getting Records from the Veterans Administration
Many people who are new to the Veterans Administration don't realize that the medical side
of the VA and the claims (disability compensation) side of the VA are actually two separate
organizations within the VA. Normally, active duty medical records are held by the part of
the VA that handles claims. To get a copy from them, you'll need to find your closest
Veterans Administration Regional Office (VARO). CLICK HERE to go to the VA's facility
locator and find your local office. Then send them a letter that says you are requesting a
copy of all records pertaining to you that they have on file (this is sometimes known as your
"C File" or "Case File").
If you have received any treatment through the VA (medical side), you'll need to request
those records from the "Release of Information" office at your local VA Medical Center
(VAMC). To do that, send a letter to your VAMC (find it by CLICKING HERE) to the
attention of the "Release of Information Office" that says your requesting a copy of all of
your treatment records. You're entitled to one free copy of every "treatment record" (a
phrase the VA often uses... it means the same thing as "Medical Records").
To be on the safe side, it doesn't hurt to just request the information from both the VA and
the National Archives. You'll get copies of what they have, and if they don't have anything,
they'll send a letter telling you just that.
| National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 |
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