Treatment FAQ

how to get service treatment records from the army

by Alysha Wilderman II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How Do I Get My Service Treatment Records and Personnel Records? If you are the veteran or next-of-kin (widow/widower (un-remarried); son or daughter; or father, mother, brother, or sister of a deceased veteran), you can submit a request for military personnel, health, and medical records online through the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR) at www.vetrecs.archives.gov .

You can request your military records in any of these ways:
  1. Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). ...
  2. Write a letter to the NPRC. ...
  3. Visit the NPRC in person.
  4. Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
  5. Hire an independent researcher.
Mar 22, 2022

Full Answer

What is a service treatment record?

What Information Do I Need to Request My Service Records?

  • The veteran’s complete name;
  • Service number and/or social security number;
  • Branch of service;
  • Dates of service;
  • Birthdate and birthplace;
  • Name of last facility that was responsible for the veteran’s treatment record;
  • The year and type of treatment received;

More items...

How to request military service records?

  • The veteran's complete name used while in service
  • Service number or social security number
  • Branch of service
  • Dates of service
  • Date and place of birth may also be helpful, especially if the service number is not known

More items...

How do you access military records?

The records center is an agency of the National Archives and it holds personnel records for military members and civil service workers. Golden says it’s “nearly impossible” to get military records for veterans who need assistance.

What are service treatment records?

which have resulted in the record waiting lists across our health service. He went on to say that “all of these delays are leading to cancer being diagnosed at a later stage of the disease, when treatment options are limited, and tragically the prognosis ...

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Can you look up past military service records?

You can find veterans' military service records from World War I to the present from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The NPRC houses many types of records, including Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF).

Is military service a public record?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act provide balance between the right of the public to obtain information from military service records and the right of the former military service member to protect his/her privacy. See Federal Records Center Program to access these records.

What is a service treatment record?

Service treatment records (STRs) are the military health records for each veteran and typically include. physical examinations, including entrance and discharge physical examinations, as needed. the veteran's medical history. all dental examinations and records.

Where are military service records kept?

the National Archives and Records AdministrationIf you've been discharged from military service, your personnel files are stored here at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). We are the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard.

How long does it take to get military medical records?

within 10 daysHow Long Does It Take to Get Military Medical Treatment Records? NPRC states that 92% of separation record requests are processed within 10 days. Certain types of health records could involve delays.

How can I verify someone's military service?

Verification of Military Service Please use the Defense Manpower Data Center's (DMDC) Military Verification service to verify if someone is in the military. The website will tell you if the person is currently serving in the military.

How do I get my military medical records after discharge?

You can request your military records in any of these ways:Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). ... Write a letter to the NPRC. ... Visit the NPRC in person.Contact your state or county Veterans agency.Hire an independent researcher.

How do I obtain my medical records?

How to Request Your Medical Records. Most practices or facilities will ask you to fill out a form to request your medical records. This request form can usually be collected at the office or delivered by fax, postal service, or email. If the office doesn't have a form, you can write a letter to make your request.

What if the military loses your medical records?

For veterans who are looking to reconstruct their service records, they will need to fill out the NA Form 13055, Request for Information Needed to Reconstruct Medical Data. Additionally, the NPRC does not hold records of veterans recently separated from active duty who are in either active or inactive reserves.

How do I get a statement of service?

You can obtain your COE by accessing your VA portal account, completing VA form 26-1880 and mailing it to the address on the form, or asking your lender to obtain it for you. Some lenders use the Web LGY system to access your COE and move the process along.

How do I obtain my NGB 23?

Where to Get Your NGB Form 23. Depending upon what type of unit you are assigned to, you should ask your first line supervisor to help you get an updated copy. If they can't help you, schedule an appointment with your S1 Office. If you are at the company level, your Unit Readiness NCO can get you a copy.

How many years do you have to serve to be a veteran?

"Anyone who has reached 20 years of service, even if they were never activated on a [federal] order for more than 180 days outside of training, will now be considered a veteran," he said. The change in law, said Krenz, simply recognizes those who serve.

Once I’ve signed in to milConnect, how do I request my DD214 or other military records?

Follow these steps to submit a military records request.

What types of records can I request with this tool?

You can request documents from your Official Military Personnel File to review and download. You can request your: DD214 DD215 Report of Separation...

What happens after I request my military records?

You’ll receive an email letting you know we’re processing your request. You’ll receive a second email when your request is complete and your files...

Are there other ways to get my military records?

Yes. You can request your military records in any of these ways: Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the...

How do I request someone else’s military records?

If you’re a family member planning a burial for a Veteran in a VA national cemetery Call our National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 ....

What is an outpatient medical record?

An outpatient medical treatment record may contain documents covering several years from multiple MTFs. When these records reach inactive status, they are retired and usually identified by the MTF at which the patient was last treated or stationed.

How long are inactive medical records held?

Most inactive records are held at the MTF 1 to 5 years after the end of the treatment year before retirement .

What is DD 877?

The DD Form 877 is the only request form that NPRC will accept from Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) for retired clinical and medical treatment records. This form is authorized for use by military facilities ONLY . Do not distribute to individuals for personal use. Follow the instructions below to complete the form:

Can you fax a request to NPRC?

Please Note: NPRC will accept faxed requests only in cases of an emergency. These emergency requests must state that there is a medical emergency and provide a deadline date, if applicable. Contact NPRC at (314) 801-0800 before faxing your request to (314) 801-0764. Snippet.

Is the NPRC still operating?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NPRC has been operating at a reduced capacity. As of March 29, 2021, the NPRC increased its on-site staffing to 25 percent of the workforce. While we continue to increase our on-site staffing, we are still servicing requests associated with medical treatments, burials, and homeless veterans seeking admittance to a homeless shelter. Please refrain from submitting non-emergency requests such as replacement medals, administrative corrections, or records research until we return to pre-COVID staffing levels.

What types of records can I request with this tool?

You can request documents from your Official Military Personnel File to view and download.

What happens after I request my military records?

You’ll receive an email letting you know we’re processing your request. You’ll receive a second email when your request is complete and your files are ready for you to view and download.

Information to reconstruct your records

Find out if your records may have been destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri, and how to reconstruct your records to support a VA disability compensation claim.

Other records information

Set up your personal health record, and download medical records, reports, and images to share with your VA and non-VA doctors.

Requesting Service Treatment Records

Unfortunately, STRs can be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. Veterans can sometimes request them directly from the military archives or through a VA Copy of File request. However, many records, particularly those of older Veterans, have been lost or misplaced through the years.

Getting Service Connection without STRs

Without a Veteran’s Service Treatment Records, obtaining a grant for service connection can be very difficult. However, if the VA or military lost a Veteran’s records, the VA has a higher obligation to assist the Veteran in developing their case as well as the heightened obligation to evaluate and discuss all favorable evidence.

Using Military Personnel Records for Your VA Claim

Along with STRs, a Veteran’s military personnel record can also be helpful to prove a claim. Personnel records are not automatically submitted to a Veteran’s VA Copy of File.

Call Berry Law Firm

If you are a Veteran and you have been denied disability compensation by the VA or received a low rating, Berry Law can help. We have helped Veterans from all 50 states successfully appeal VA claims and have helped thousands of Veterans increase their disability rating. Contact Berry Law today for a free case evaluation.

Request Military Records

Military records help prove military service when applying for jobs or government benefits. They’re also helpful for ancestry and historical research.

Get a Military or Veteran Identification (ID) Card

Military identification (ID) cards are U.S. government property for use only by the issued card holder.

Correct a Military Service Record or Discharge

You can request changes to your military record or discharge. You can also request changes to a member's military record or discharge if you are the:

Do you have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

What Information Is Needed to Request Military Medical Treatment Records?

To obtain records from the NPRC, you are going to need to provide the following information about the Veteran:

How Long Does It Take to Get Military Medical Treatment Records?

NPRC states that 92% of separation record requests are processed within 10 days. Certain types of health records could involve delays. The NPRC processes almost 20,000 requests per week, so the turnaround time can vary depending on the nature of a request.

When Might It Be Necessary to Obtain Military Medical Records?

A Veteran’s military medical records contain crucial information about diagnoses and treatment of medical conditions during the Veteran’s time in service. This information can provide valuable insight into the Veteran’s past conditions and current health.

What happened to veterans records?

When applying for VA disability benefits, many veterans find that VA is missing important records that may help support their claims for compensation. Oftentimes records are simply lost, or they may have been accidentally destroyed . For example, on July 12, 1973, a fire broke out at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The fire destroyed service records for veterans of the Air Force and Army.

How many military records were destroyed?

Overall, the NPRC estimates that 16-18 million official military personnel files were destroyed.

What are employment records?

Employment records can become a necessary piece of evidence if a veteran is seeking entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). TDIU is a VA disability benefit that compensates veterans at the 100% disability rate if they have a service-connected condition or conditions that render them unable to work. Employment records can also be helpful in claims for increased ratings, as difficulty performing a job or receiving special accommodations at work due to a service-connected condition can highlight the level of severity of that disability. Some employment records that can be helpful are: 1 VA Form 21-4192 – These forms are used by VA to gather information regarding a veteran’s past or current employment. The forms are sent to the veteran’s employers for them to fill out basic employment information such as dates of employment, as well as details regarding the veteran’s ability to perform the job or why the veteran left that job. 2 Record of disciplinary action or performance reports – These types of records can be useful to show how a veteran’s service-connected disability negatively impacted their work. If a veteran has a service-connected psychiatric condition that caused them to be violent at work or have angry outbursts, records of those incidents can be used to show entitlement to an increased rating.

Why are employment records important?

Employment records can also be helpful in claims for increased ratings, as difficulty performing a job or receiving special accommodations at work due to a service-connected condition can highlight the level of severity of that disability . Some employment records that can be helpful are:

What is VA hearing?

VA Hearings. Hearings before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals can be used as evidence in support of a veteran’s claim. They allow a veteran to speak with a Veterans Law Judge directly to explain their case. All hearings are transcribed so VA has a written record of the conversation. However, hearings do have drawbacks.

What does service connection mean in VA?

Generally speaking, service connection means that a veteran’s disability or death was incurred during or aggravated by their military service.

How many records were destroyed in the fire?

The fire destroyed service records for veterans of the Air Force and Army. According to VA, 80 percent of the records for veterans discharged from the Army between November 1, 1912 and January 1, 1960 were destroyed in the fire.

Where are military records stored?

If you have been discharged from military service, your personnel files are stored at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). They are the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the United States Air Force, Army, ...

How long do you have to keep NGB records?

States are required by law, to maintain these records for 99 years. https://www.archives.gov/veterans.

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