Posted on Sep 20, 2015
COL Jon Thompson
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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.
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Responses: 43
SGT Kevin Vincent
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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
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SGT Dave Martin
SGT Dave Martin
5 y
Tried that and VA had records out so I have to wait to get them back to send them back again, great efficient system?!?!
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PFC Paul E Burkhart Jr
PFC Paul E Burkhart Jr
5 y
I asked for a copy of my medical records for a injury 1972, and was told that there was a fire and my records were lost. Now I am disabled and I am having a lot of pain sent in a request to reopen a claim and was sent a letter that stated No new information.
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SSG Mary Perry
SSG Mary Perry
5 y
Thanks for the info
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Sgt Kelli Mays
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9
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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.
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COL Louis Macareo
COL Louis Macareo
5 y
This is great information, but I am still on active duty and preparing my VA claim. What is the most efficient way to get records prior to retirement for active duty soldiers? Secondly, I enlisted in 1985 and I am sure that there are pre-2003 records that have been archived. Do I use the SF180 for those? Thanks.
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LTC Stephen F.
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Edited >1 y ago
95138aee
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
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COL Jon Thompson
COL Jon Thompson
>1 y
This is great as a DA civilian I still have AKO access and CAC. It will be my task this afternoon.
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LTC Veterans Employment Representative
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
This is great stuff! Fantastic info for vets! I'll pass this along!
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
>1 y
LTC Stephen F. Great information - thanks for sharing
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SGT Rw Ketelsen
SGT Rw Ketelsen
5 y
My records did not show all the disabling injuries or wounds because I was always on TDY when it happened since I was in the 5th SF. I was able to survive my injuries until they caught up with me. VA unable to help so remember that you have to make the money to help yourself or have wealth in the family.
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