What to Gather Before You File a VA Claim

The Short Version

You do not have to submit evidence to file, and VA will help gather some of it. Sending what you have or can easily get up front generally speeds things up, because VA does not have to go find it first.

The Core Documents

• Proof of service. Your DD214 or other separation documents.
• Service treatment records. Your military medical file. BDD filers must include current service treatment records and the Separation Health Assessment.
• Current medical evidence. Doctors' reports, imaging, and test results tied to the condition you are claiming.

Lay Evidence

Statements from you or people who have seen your condition count as evidence, and the writer does not need professional credentials. VA lists three ways to submit them:

• A plain written statement.
• VA Form 21-10210, Lay or Witness Statement (often called a buddy statement).
• VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim.

Not sure what to write? Our guide on how to write a strong statement walks through it.

Records VA Can Request for You

If you give VA the names of the facilities and your treatment dates, it can retrieve records from a VA medical center, another federal facility, or your private provider. Keep a simple list of every provider you have seen for each condition, with dates.

Fully Developed vs. Standard Claims

In a fully developed claim, you submit all the evidence you have or can easily get up front. In a standard claim, VA takes on more of the work of gathering it. Both are valid; the difference is who does the legwork.

If Your Records Were Lost

Some records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. If that affects you, VA says it can help you reconstruct your military records.