Jordan Ellis
Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital discharge reports can be requested by veterans or their next of kin. The process of requesting these records varies depending on the branch of service, separation date, and type of record. If discharged from the Air Force after October 1, 2004, the Army after October 1, 2002, the Marines after January 1, 1999, or the Navy after January 1, 1995, requests can be made through the milConnect website. Those who receive care at a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) or Outpatient Clinic (OPC) may need to request records through a VA medical center. Requests can be made online, by mail, or by fax, and typically take up to 30 days for online records and 60 days for paper records.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to request | National Archives online, by mail, or by fax |
| Who can request | The veteran or, if discharged less than 62 years ago, the next of kin with authorization |
| What to request | Military Personnel File, including DD214 or other separation documents |
| How to request | Fill out a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form 180) or an Individuals' Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information (VA Form 10-5345a) |
| When to request | Allow up to 30 days for online records and up to 60 days for paper records |
| Required documents | Veterans Health Identification Card or driver's license |
| Additional information | If applying for VA benefits, the DD214 form will be requested for you; discharge documents are required for burial in a national cemetery or to receive memorial items and other benefits |
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What You'll Learn
Requesting VA hospital discharge reports for medical benefits
To request VA hospital discharge reports for medical benefits, you must first identify the relevant VA health facility where you received treatment. Each VA health facility maintains its own medical records and has a designated medical records office, also known as the Release of Information Office.
Once you have identified the correct VA health facility, you will need to fill out an "Individuals' Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information" (VA Form 10-5345a). This form allows you to request a complete copy of your VA medical records, including hospital discharge reports. Make sure to complete the form accurately and provide all the necessary information.
After completing the form, you can submit it to the medical records office of your VA health facility. You have the option to submit the form by mail, fax, or in person. If you choose to submit it in person, remember to bring valid identification, such as your Veterans Health Identification Card or driver's license.
It is important to note that processing times may vary, and you should allow sufficient time for your request to be processed. If your request takes longer than expected, you may receive a letter notifying you of the delay. If you have not received a response or an update within 20 calendar days, you can follow up by contacting the VA health facility directly.
Keep in mind that VA hospital discharge reports are just one type of record that may be relevant when applying for medical benefits. Depending on your specific circumstances and the nature of your claim, you may also need to submit additional medical evidence, such as doctors' reports, X-rays, medical test results, or lay evidence describing your condition. These supporting documents help to provide a comprehensive understanding of your health status and are reviewed to determine your eligibility for benefits.
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How to access your VA discharge records online
Veterans can access their VA discharge records online through the National Archives' eVetRecs tool. This is a straightforward process, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you will need to verify your identity through ID.me, which may include taking a "live selfie" photo with your smartphone. Secondly, if you are submitting an application for VA benefits, the VA will request your DD214 for you, so you don't need to do this yourself through the National Archives.
To request your discharge records online, go to the National Archives website and select "Make a new request" on eVetRecs. Sign in with your identity-verified ID.me account and follow the steps to request your records. You can also request your records by mail or fax. If you prefer this option, print and fill out Form SF 180 and mail it to the address on the form. Alternatively, you can write a letter requesting your records and send it to the address provided.
It's important to note that if the veteran was discharged less than 62 years ago, you may only be able to request limited information from their Military Personnel File. In such cases, you will need authorization from the veteran's next of kin to access their full military service record. If the veteran was discharged more than 62 years ago, their records become archival and are open to the public. You can order copies of these records online for a fee.
In addition to the National Archives, recently separated veterans can also access their discharge records online via the VA eBenefits portal. This portal allows veterans to manage their health and benefits, download VA letters, get Veteran ID Cards, review payment history, and learn how to apply for certificates of eligibility. Veterans can also access and download their VA medical records through the My HealtheVet platform on VA.gov. This platform enables veterans to find, review, print, and download their medical records, including lab and test results, vaccine and allergy records, and care summaries.
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Requesting VA discharge records by mail or fax
To request VA discharge records by mail or fax, you will need to fill out an Individuals' Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information (VA Form 10-5345a). You can submit this form by mail or fax to your VA health facility's medical records office (also called the Release of Information Office).
If you are requesting records from the National Archives, you will need to use the eVetRecs tool on their website. You will need to sign in with an identity-verified ID.me account, and you may be asked to take a "live selfie" photo with your smartphone as an added step to verification.
When requesting records, you will need to provide a copy of either the death certificate or another public record of the veteran's death. If the veteran was discharged more than 62 years ago, you can order a copy of their military records. If the veteran was discharged less than 62 years ago, you may only be able to request limited information from their Military Personnel File and will need authorization from the veteran's next of kin to request their full military service record.
If you are requesting records from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you can call the toll-free number 1-800-827-1000 to be connected to the nearest VA office. You can also view and download your health records on the Secure Patient Portal if they are classified as sensitive.
Please allow time for your request to be processed. If your request takes longer than expected, you will receive a letter in the mail. If you don't receive a letter within 20 calendar days, you can contact the VA.
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What to do if your VA discharge records were destroyed
If your VA discharge records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, you can take steps to reconstruct them. Here is what you should do:
First, determine if your records were impacted by the 1973 fire. This incident affected the records of veterans discharged from the Army and Air Force during certain periods. If your discharge falls within these time frames, it is likely your records were destroyed:
- Air Force: discharged before October 1, 2004
- Army: discharged before October 1, 2002
- Marines: discharged before January 1, 1999
- Navy: discharged before January 1, 1995
If your records were destroyed, you can begin the process of reconstruction to support a VA disability compensation claim. Here are the steps to follow:
- Submit copies of your service treatment records for your current period of service.
- Complete and submit a Separation Health Assessment - Part A Self-Assessment form. If you have already filed a claim, you can upload this form retroactively.
- Provide other supporting documents or evidence. In certain cases, medical records or medical opinions from healthcare providers may be required. Lay evidence, such as a buddy statement (VA Form 21-10210), may also be accepted.
- If you are filing a disability claim for a condition related to your period of active duty training, you will need to submit evidence of a current physical or mental condition.
- You can request any remaining military service records from the National Archives. This can be done online through the eVetRecs tool, by mail, or by fax. You will need an identity-verified ID.me account to access eVetRecs.
- If you are submitting a VA benefits application, the VA will request your DD214 (military service records) for you.
- Alternatively, you can request your DD214 records directly from the DOD through the milConnect website. Note that you will need a Premium DS Logon account for this.
Remember to allow sufficient time for your requests to be processed. Depending on the storage method of your records, it may take up to 30 calendar days for online records and up to 60 calendar days for paper records.
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How to request a VA discharge upgrade or correction
To request a VA discharge upgrade or correction, you can follow these steps:
First, you will need to answer a series of questions to receive step-by-step instructions on how to apply for an upgrade or correction. This will include specific instructions tailored to your situation, as well as the relevant forms and the address to mail your application. You can also call the VA at 800-827-1000, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, to receive assistance.
Second, you will need to fill out the necessary forms. This may include the Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form 180), which can be mailed or faxed to the appropriate address or fax number. The right address or fax number can be found using the chart on the last page of the form, which requires you to identify your branch of service, separation date, and type of record. Alternatively, you can request records online using the National Archives' eVetRecs tool, which requires an identity-verified ID.me account.
Third, if you are requesting records from a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) or Outpatient Clinic (OPC), you may need to contact the medical records office to see if they have your records. In some cases, you may need to request records through a VA medical center instead of the clinic. The time it takes to receive your records can vary depending on how they are stored, with online records typically taking up to 30 calendar days and paper records taking up to 60 calendar days.
Finally, if you are a veteran or next of kin requesting military service records, including discharge information, there are specific guidelines to follow. If the veteran was discharged more than 62 years ago, you can order a copy of their military records from the National Archives, which are opened to the public 62 years after discharge. If the veteran was discharged less than 62 years ago, you may be able to request limited information from their Military Personnel File with authorization from the veteran's next of kin.
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Frequently asked questions
You can request your military service records, which include discharge reports, from the National Archives online, by mail, or by fax. If you are submitting an application for VA benefits, the VA will request your DD214 for you when they receive your application.
You should call the medical records office first and ask if they have your records. You may need to request your records through a VA medical center instead of the clinic.
The time it takes to receive your records depends on how they are being stored. If your records are in an online system, it may take up to 30 calendar days. If your records are on paper, it may take up to 60 calendar days.
You may be able to request limited information from your Military Personnel File. You will need authorization from your next of kin to request your full military service record.
You can get a complete copy of your VA medical records directly from your VA health facility. You will need to fill out an Individuals' Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information (VA Form 10-5345a) and submit it to your VA health facility's medical records office.
