How do I get my Army medical records to submit a VA claim?

COL Jon Thompson — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 16:22:55 -0400

Last December, I went to my local Veterans office to file the paperwork showing my intent to file a claim for disability and was told that I had one year to file the claim. I received a letter last week reminding me of the deadline. I retired from the Army Reserve with 5 active duty tours in the last decade. How do I get a copy of my military medical records to file the claim? I know just about everything since my 2008 deployment was entered online so I don't have the medical record folder any more. I would appreciate any advice or recommendations from people who have gone through this as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 4:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 16:35:22 -0400

Sir. I just went through that. I've got the form and address at my office that you need to send your request to.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 20 at 2015 4:39 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 16:39:30 -0400

Sir,
You can submit a request through the National Archives. However, the VA "should" have direct access to them as a sister agency, and I believe there is a checkbox on one of the forms which authorizes them to pull from them.

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/other-medical-records.html

There's a link on the page above.

Medical Treatment Records - for Military Retirees and Dependents (created at military medical...

Medical Treatment Records created at military medical facilities, now held in the National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Sep 20 at 2015 4:47 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 16:47:27 -0400

When I retired I was able to copy all my medical records. I was able to get all of mine on a cd from Long Beach va. I think you could submit a VA form 4138 . Takes a long time.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Sep 20 at 2015 4:48 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 16:48:14 -0400

I applied at the VA & gave them a copy of my DD214 & filled out the application form. The form has a section for your military medical history that you have to fill in...This was done in 1996 so I am not sure if the same process applies today. Then you have to take a complete physical exam that may take a few days .. You also have to fill out your financial statement for final approval which takes a few weeks

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 20 at 2015 5:09 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:09:00 -0400

COL Jon Thompson Please reach out to Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM on RP through a connection request. She may have some answers for you. Connect and then send a message. I'm not positive, but she may be able to assist or get yuo going int he right direction. I would also think contacting HRC or your last Reserve unit for guidance on where those could be obtained. I'm sure there are some really sharp Human Resource personnel here on RP that can help as well.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 20 at 2015 5:13 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:13:59 -0400

Do you have paper copies of your medical records COL Jon Thompson?
AKO stores significant records for you accessible via the HRC retiree website. For me it is the Reserve side. While it does not contain all of your records you will find many of them stored along with your orders. One humorous thing for me was that when the date was unsure HRC assigned 1900 for many of my dates, since there shouldn't be any before 1972 when I was being considered for Annapolis I found that humorous.
I recommend downloading anything related to medical records from your retiree AKO page and save to some useful place. This would include military profiles, records of treatment, SF88 and other medical physical documents, etc.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 20 at 2015 5:26 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:26:02 -0400

My VA representative helped me get my records....all I needed was a copy of my DD Form 214...took it to the VA rep and filled out a request form and he sent it in....took about 3 and a half weeks and it arrived in the mail one day.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 21 at 2015 4:18 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 16:18:26 -0400

COL Jon Thompson Go to the National Archives and download form SF-180. Complete it and mail to the appropriate addresses on the back. It takes roughly 3 months to get your records back. Please note that INPATIENT hospital records need to be obtained from the admitting hospitals, and they only save them for 7 years, so you may not have luck with those...

Please contact me off line if you need assistance with your claim. I worked as a DAV service officer for four years, and know the system quite well...

Response by COL Randy Alicea made Sep 21 at 2015 11:20 PM

COL Randy Alicea — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 23:20:25 -0400

If I were you, I would get help from the state VA representatives, or from DAV. So far I have yet had problems with my VA claims using the North Carolina VA representatives to represent my claims.
Good Luck!

Response by SPC James Evans made Sep 22 at 2015 1:57 PM

SPC James Evans — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:57:54 -0400

I'm fighting for my exit wound appeal. I already, have 10% for the entrance, 10% for muscle damage and 10% for bone damage and there telling me there was no evidences of the stitches being removed or any therapy even after my ETS 2 months later at the VA. I'm wanting to talk to a lawyer and need records.

Response by CPL Thomas Visser made Sep 22 at 2015 2:45 PM

CPL Thomas Visser — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:45:03 -0400

VA has a duty to assist based upon the VCAA, Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. They will request your STRs (Service Treatment Records) but will always ask the claimant if he/she has a copy. If you do not let them know. If they aren't able to obtain, they will let you know.

Response by CPL Renata Spinks made Sep 22 at 2015 2:52 PM

CPL Renata Spinks — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:52:17 -0400

COL John Thompson
Sir I actually worked in ArmyMEd 44th MEDCOM Fort Bragg, NC and this was one of my areas for MOS--I can provide some one on one guidance from an internal process perspective if you like.
First steps are to do a search to see where you medical records are housed. Like others have pointed out, you should reach out to the State VA reps to help and that is great.. however, there are some steps you can take as well. National Archives is one place, registering on the EBenefits and submitting the request for records by doing a DEERS check is also a great starting point.. it will provide ALL of your records....to include medical info.
I can be reached specifically at [login to see] Happy to help walk you through it personally.

Response by SPC Michael Reynolds made Sep 22 at 2015 3:47 PM

SPC Michael Reynolds — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 15:47:46 -0400

If you are a member of MyHealthVet (https://www.myhealth.va.gov) there is a link provided to "ebenefits" (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage) and from there you can request a copy of your medical records. If you exited the military prior to 2008, your records are not available as they are archived. I called my local American Legion's office per "eBenefits" instruction and they can either provide you with a local Veterans Affairs office number. I was instructed to just show up to the local veterans affairs office approx 30 min prior to them opening and once seen by a rep, they can request your records and they will actually mail you a copy of your entire medical file.

If there are records AFTER 2008, they should be accessible via the eBenefits website.

Response by SGT Kevin Vincent made Sep 22 at 2015 4:13 PM

SGT Kevin Vincent — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:13:21 -0400

Col. Thompson,
I work with the VA in Tampa and here is what I advise to you and all other Veterans in your situation.

Instead of using e-vetrecs or http://www.archives.gov to get medical records for Veterans, a faster way for the Veterans to get them is to download a Standard Form 180, complete it, and then fax it to: [login to see] (Dept. VA Records Mgmt. Center).

If you go through e-vetrecs, like the website tells you to do, it is taking about 3-4 months for the Veteran to get a letter from National Personnel Records Center, telling them to do the above.

Once you have faxed the completed Form 180, you can call Dept. VA Records Mgmt. Center at [login to see] , a few days later to follow up, if you’d like.

Good Luck and let me know if there is anything else I might be able to help you with.

Kevin Vincent
Community Employment Coordinator
James A. Haley VA Hospital
Tampa, FL

Response by PFC Scott Sanders made Sep 22 at 2015 4:24 PM

PFC Scott Sanders — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:24:41 -0400

You may want to speak with Senator Joni Ernst (she is a member of the Armed Services Committee and a veteran herself). When I went through this 6 years ago, I went through the then Senator Carl Levin (at the time, he qas Cair of the Armed Services Committee) and his office did all the work, getting me a copy of my complete Army file (right down to my first PT Test results) and all I needed was to prove who I am and sign aa couple forms.

Response by SCPO Don Baker made Sep 22 at 2015 4:55 PM

SCPO Don Baker — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:55:03 -0400

Hindsight is 20/20, sir. Something my mentors taught me and I passed it on to my Sailors, before discharge/retirement make two copies of your medical and dental records yourself, one for the VA and a backup. It's a thing I still pass on to any active/reserve, I'm honored to meet.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Sep 22 at 2015 5:14 PM

SFC Dennis Yancy — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 17:14:24 -0400

I'm went to where my records were kept and checked out saying I had a medocal.appointment. Took to VA amd.they.copied them.

Response by SGT Aaron Dumbrow made Sep 22 at 2015 6:09 PM

SGT Aaron Dumbrow — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 18:09:54 -0400

COL Thompson, I would suggest you get intouch with your local American Legion or VFW. They are usually able to make things happen for you. I went through the process in 2003 for Medical Retirement, and the Legion took care of everthing for me, I just signed paperwork when it came in.

Response by MSG Cynthia Banks made Sep 22 at 2015 7:31 PM

MSG Cynthia Banks — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 19:31:13 -0400

you can request them online. after you request them, they is a sheet you have to print the sheet and sign, than fax it to the number they are going to give you.

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Start Your Military Service Record (DD Form 214) Request

How to Request Military Service Records, Military Personnel Files, Veterans Records, Discharge Papers, Separation Documents, DD214, or Prove Military Service

Response by LTC Christopher Sands made Sep 22 at 2015 7:36 PM

LTC Christopher Sands — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 19:36:51 -0400

You can let the VA help you get your records or send in a request to NARA. If you Let the VA help you, make sure you tell them every base/facility you have medical records at. After I retired I was still able to get some records myself from a facility I had been seen for a medical issue. One facility took 6 months, one took 3 weeks. It all depends on the luck of the draw.
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Response by 1stSgt Gregory Fisher made Sep 22 at 2015 10:32 PM

1stSgt Gregory Fisher — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 22:32:45 -0400

Colonel,

SF180 (any internet search will bring it up). You can mail it or fax it. If you choose to mail it, pay particular attention to the address to send it to (different addresses for different services and/or dates of separation). If you have extensive medical records, it can take several months to receive them (someone has to eye-ball each and every page and redact any privacy info that isn't yours)...used to be SSAN's were part of medical personnel sig. blocks.

That being said, if your medical records have been properly warehoused the VA should have no trouble requesting and pulling those records for any service connected injury or illness you claim that is chronic/on-going and affects your life today. Even if you decide to let the VA bird-dog the records for you, I would still order them for no other reason than to have them in your possession. Whatever you do, DO NOT miss the one year suspense waiting on medical records...you'll lose the date of claim going back to your date of separation. Get the claim filed within the year for sure.

When completing the 21-526EZ fill out a 21-686c also...get the spouse and any kids that are unmarried and under the age of 18 (23 if they're full time students). Reason being, if you're combined rating is 30% or more there is an additional compensation (small) for dependents. 50% combined or combat related is the key to being authorized concurrent retirement pay and VA benefit. If you're under the 50% and not combat related, DFAS reduces your retirement dollar for dollar by the VA compensation amount...the only monetary benefit then is that the VA portion is tax-free.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Sep 23 at 2015 6:10 AM

PO1 Aaron Baltosser — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 06:10:36 -0400

You have to send a request to St Louis National Personnel Records Center. This takes a very long time so absolutely don't delay. If you can get the ascension data and shipping data when your records were sent to them, that would help. That tells NPRC where they need to look for it. One of my duties in the Navy was retiring records to them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 7:21 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 07:21:58 -0400

Location you out processed should have them for 6 years after or you can request an appointment on Post for what they have noted in the system for you. When they hit print it usually creates its own forms that are used in transfer packets.

Response by MSgt Steven Mazel made Sep 23 at 2015 8:19 AM

MSgt Steven Mazel — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 08:19:29 -0400

The first thing you need to do is get your claim filed.the VA will go out for the records. Get the claim file regardless if you have your medical records. You do not want to lise that effective date. However, be specific what units you were with in case NARA does not have them. The VA is required to go out to your previous units to get those records. The VA will make several attempts to get those records. Also, work with a Veteran Service Officer (DAV, American legion, VFW, etc).

Response by SGT Jaime Becerra made Sep 23 at 2015 11:13 AM

SGT Jaime Becerra — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 11:13:20 -0400

hello im jaime, i have had help from a Air Force recruiter as well as assistance from a local vet outreach program in my hometown.also a good place to get advice and help is from a local V.F.W.
airtaz

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 23 at 2015 11:31 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 11:31:05 -0400

COL Jon Thompson DoD has revamped the process to access our records. Up until June 2015 I had no trouble accessing my military records including health records posted to my HRC account. AKO now only can be accessed with CAC or equivalent card.
THose of us who are retired, etc without a CAC card need a DS logon.
Last year while going through the process to get access to MyhealtheVet as a premium user so that I could get and receive secure emails, I registered for access to DoD websites at:
https://esd-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/292
You can also request a copy of your military records and DD214 by visiting:
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
I posted a screen shot of the websites accessible through the DoD Websites accepting DS Logon
[https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/profile/home.do]
The place to access your military records including any posted medical records is the U.S. Army Human Resources Portal link - right side of listed sites. I got there by clicking - took a minute or so for me. COL Mikel J. Burroughs, LTC Stephen Franke

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Sep 23 at 2015 12:02 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:02:44 -0400

First do not file by your self go to a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) and have then assist you on your claim. They will be able to get your medical records after you sign the release. They will help you step by step with your claim and they know everything you can claim and the correct wording to use.

If you try by yourself you could end up like me. I filed my own claim in 2011 and receive 30%, I should be receiving over 80% but didn't know i could claim broken bones, sleep apnea, respiratory problems due to deployment, and more.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Sep 23 at 2015 12:24 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:24:16 -0400

See my post below, and it isn't just one year i was able to help my father get his disability claim done 20 years later at a 65% rating with 15 years back pay. He would have received the full 20 years back pay but he was in federal prison for 5 years.

Response by SPC Americo Garcia made Sep 23 at 2015 2:02 PM

SPC Americo Garcia — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 14:02:29 -0400

Col. Thompson,
Before I got out of the Marines I made copies of my records including my SRB. Before getting out. I suggest anyone still in the military should do that. The other way is to fill out paper work that the county Veterans Office has the forms needed to file a claim. Never give up any of you copies to the VA. show them and tell them to copy the paperwork. The VA is using some civilian Dr.'s to accomplish the claims for veterans. I would use the method that Sgt Kevin Vincent spoke of as well Sir.

Response by MSgt Laurie Kline made Sep 23 at 2015 3:09 PM

MSgt Laurie Kline — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:09:20 -0400

You should go see your county veterans service officer. They can file a fully developed claim for you, as the VA is responsible for obtaining you're active military medical records. Never file a claim on your own, let a professional county representative do it for free!

Response by SPC Keith Magnussen made Sep 23 at 2015 6:13 PM

SPC Keith Magnussen — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 18:13:37 -0400

When you submit an intent to file, what that does is actually preserves the date of claim as if you had submitted the entire claim that day and gives you up to the 1 year mark to file and substantiate your claim. So no matter what else you do, or manage to get your hands on FILE THE CLAIM before the deadline, submit whatever Injuries, Illness's and disabilities you believe are service connected and the burden of proof initially falls on the VA to make all possible attempts to attain your medical records.
Anything that is in your medical records the VA does get, you do not have to supply it!
Since the late 1990's most Mil Med records have been electronic, but realistically when in the field or deployment that doesn't realistically happen. you get patched up and sent back to where you came often with only a sick call slip or nothing at all and the medical note doesn't make it back to your command or your Med Rec's.
A couple of different ways are possible to get around this:
1st what is called lay-evidence is buddy statements from ideally 2 or more individuals that were with you in the time when you suffered said injury illness or disease and that can be used to verify the event.
Next are more round about ways to get the info or prove something happened at all, these at least open the door to make the VA have to look deeper- If you were signed out or any documentation was submitted to your command that would have had to of been recorded on the daily logs or forwarded to higher command for accountability-They still exist, no matter how much time has past.
You can also reach out to your previous command and see if they still have you Med Rec's, maybe they hadn't forwarded them yet and just have them sitting in a file. Check with the unit, ARCOM, up the chain till someone says they were forwarded correctly.
I have seen original records sent to the service member instead of an ARCOM, NGB or DA.
If you know what medical command treated you-TMC or field, again they have to have recorded that you were treated and must retain those records, at a a minimum a sign in log with condition you came in for.
Any condition that an LOD (line of duty) was completed for, would also have a copy in your 201 file, and higher headquarters signs off on them and must keep a file copy also.
If you were treated within 1 year of discharge/release from active duty anywhere (civilian), those records can be submitted which demonstrate the likelihood of the condition in service.
Remember not everything is black and white! Use the back door when needed!
Just make sure to file your VA 526-claim for benefits before that 1 year mark or you lose the earlier effective date of when you submitted the intent to file. List anything you believe is related to service, if you don't have the evidence now, first see if they come up with it or they will ask you to supply it, either way you are not losing that earlier date of claim.
Lastly if you just want to get a copy of your electronic Mil Med Rec's you can try going to a local military installation, visit their TMC/Medical Center/Hospital, whatever and simply ask for a copy. There is no guarantee they will easily print them off for you but depending on how long you have been out and if you explain to them your situation and that you need them for your medical benefits it may work out. I have known many people to get them this way. This again will only contain the electronic records not the early paper records unless yours were lucky enough to be scanned in and these the VA likely have anyway. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
ADVICE to anyone getting out--Get copies of all your records before your final out processing!

Response by PO2 Gerry Roberson made Sep 23 at 2015 6:59 PM

PO2 Gerry Roberson — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 18:59:09 -0400

They keep asking me,"where are your records?". I haven't the slightest idea where in creation they're adrift. I certainly don't have them at quarters. Do I go to NMPC or whatever it's called these days? My 10 year service ended in 1985, so it's been quite a while. HELP!, SOS!

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Sep 23 at 2015 8:20 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 20:20:39 -0400

COL Jon Thompson....Try contacting Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, KY https://www.hrc.army.mil/

Response by CW3 Bernard"Chief" Collier made Sep 24 at 2015 8:40 AM

CW3 Bernard"Chief" Collier — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 08:40:22 -0400

You go to the Freedom of Information Desk in the VA and request a copy of your medical records and they will print one out for you (VA records). If you are talking about your records when active, that's a good question and I would like to know the answer to that one too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 2:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 02:37:15 -0400

Check ur last duty station and see if they still have them. If not they can tell u where they were sent to.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Oct 22 at 2015 12:32 PM

PO1 Aaron Baltosser — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:32:45 -0400

Fill out an SF 180 and submit that to National Personnel Records Center in St Louis if you are no longer on Active Duty, or affiliated with a reserve component. That is where the health records are housed after service ends. It will take some time to retrieve. They house millions of records there.

Response by PO1 Barbara Wagner made Apr 11 at 2019 7:45 AM

PO1 Barbara Wagner — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 07:45:20 -0400

Send in a request for a FOIA request. You are entitled to a free copy of your files once. If you lose them then it is $.25 per page.

Response by SFC Don Baca made May 8 at 2019 9:25 PM

SFC Don Baca — Wed, 08 May 2019 21:25:47 -0400

Can find my record

Response by Cpl Patrick Burns made May 8 at 2019 10:32 PM

Cpl Patrick Burns — Wed, 08 May 2019 22:32:26 -0400

I have filed a claim and obtained records. A lit of my VA records are available online via eBenefits. If you don't have an account with them I recommend you get one. It's free. Records not on eBenefits may require you submit a FOIA request. It's a simple one page request. Even if you one year time frame expires it is not a problem. It only limits back pay, not future claims for prior service related injuries.

Response by SPC Marlene Buccione made May 9 at 2019 1:58 PM

SPC Marlene Buccione — Thu, 09 May 2019 13:58:32 -0400

For more than 2 YEARS I have tried to get my medical records.... I even have my DD 214, and have not located them yet. PTSD MST.
I’m suppose to a SKYPE interview with an judge in the near future so what do I tell him?

Response by SFC Timothy Livingston made May 9 at 2019 4:47 PM

SFC Timothy Livingston — Thu, 09 May 2019 16:47:28 -0400

Said my records distroyed in fire

Response by SPC Edwin Hyman made May 15 at 2019 11:02 AM

SPC Edwin Hyman — Wed, 15 May 2019 11:02:38 -0400

I have tried many times to to receive a VA claim to injury I know had to been caused from an auto accident I was in the military. I was treated after the accident, cut to back of my head and busted libs. No broken bone, thank God for that. Sore for a few days but felt many better after that, being young and healthy I felt all was well and didn't do a follow-up with the doctor. Now and then I wake up with an sift neck pay no mind, thought I slept wrong and my lower back would as well ache when I'm sitting long periods of time, the job demand 12 hours shift in an small place, pop Doan pills and did my duties. When I ETS out enrollment in college and didn't think no more about it until my back started aching again I thought it was growing pain for the pain would come and go. But the pIn got worst. I been dealing with it since that auto accident. The reason why military will not acknowledge because I didn't complain about it while I was in active duty. They know of the auto accident but will not acknowledge my injury to my back as well my neck area result from the traumatic of an auto accident. Any advices would be greatly appreciated, by the way VA did give me some disability for my knees which is sixty percent, which I thankful for that. I want to refile for an claims for my lower back as well my feets in which I did see military doctor when I was in the Army.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2019 9:33 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 May 2019 21:33:55 -0400

Good luck with that! So far, I have written to 7 different addresses. Each gives me the same reply "we can't help you" but every time I write to a new office I do always ask them to provide me with a suggested new address and they always do. I am certain that there is NO address where you can obtain your old medical records but I will continue writing to address, after address, after address, etc.