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

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.