How to Get Medical Records From the Veterans Administration

By Sheri Bell Hack

Veterans may need to obtain their medical records when they apply for health or disability benefits or when they are obtaining treatment from a private health-care provider. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act were enacted to balance the public's right to obtain information from military service records and protect the veteran's privacy. You have the right to request your own military medical records and personnel records and to authorize the release of those records to third parties. Requests for military medical records and personnel records must be in writing, signed and dated by the veteran or deceased veteran's next-of-kin or authorized representative.

Contact each local VA medical treatment center where you were treated, either by visiting them in person or in writing to request your medical records. You can find the location of VA centers by visiting the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affair's website.

Sign a written request on VA Form 10-5345, Request for and Authorization to Release Medical Records or Health Information (see Resources). Wait for the administration center's records department to copy the documents for you if you go there in person, and ask the radiology department if they can put your radiology reports and any MRI's on a CD. You can also mail the release form to them, or send them a letter with the dates you were seen, your social security number, the type of records you want released and where to send them. Be sure to include your social security number and your service number.

Send a letter or a signed and completed Form DD 214, Report of Separation to the National Archives and Record's Administration's National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records division (NARA's NPRC-MPR) in St. Louis to request medical records and/or personnel records for discharged or deceased military members. Requests made by authorized family members or third parties must be accompanied by a copy of the veteran's death certificate, letter from the funeral home or copy of the obituary notice. Records for dependent family members of discharged or deceased members who have been treated at any VA medical facility are also stored at the NARA NPRC-MPR facility. You will need to provide the military member's social security number, service number, date of discharge, branch of military and date of birth. Records for military members prior to WWI are stored at the National Archive building in Washington, D.C. and must be obtained by sending a written request on NATF Form 86 or ordered online at the National Archive's website.

Obtain assistance from a VA counselor if you need help locating your VA medical records or a deceased family service member's records. Check online at the VA website for the closest VA medical facility near you. Call or make an appointment to talk to the VA counselor.

Include as much information about yourself as possible when making written requests to obtain your VA medical records, such as your social security number, service number, branch of military, dates of service and discharge date and date of birth. Records prior to 1973 should also include place of discharge, place of service entry and last assignment, if known. Requests are free to veterans, deceased veteran's next of kin and authorized representatives.

All requests for VA military medical records must be in writing and signed and dated by the veteran or the deceased veteran's next of kin or authorized representative. Requests made by next of kin or an authorized representative must be accompanied by a copy of the veteran's death certificate, letter from a funeral home or copy of an obituary. Medical records and service records are not available online.

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