The Department of Veterans Affairs encourages all Veterans to submit their private medical records for consideration during the processing of their benefits claim. VA values evidence from your private treatment providers because they are familiar with your medical history, often over a long period of time. VA appreciates the trusted and special relationship between private treatment providers and their Veteran/patients.
Talk to your healthcare provider (family physician, urgent care visits, any Tricare-covered treatment after discharge) and explain that you are filing a claim for VA benefits; discuss the conditions for which you are filing a claim.
Tell us about your Federal records (from any federal agency*) and we will gather these on your behalf. If you received treatment at a military hospital or clinic after your discharge, please include facility information and the date ranges of your medical treatment records for your claimed conditions when completing VA Forms 21-4142 and 21-4142a.
*It is not necessary for you to submit your Service Treatment Records (STRs) or treatment records from a VA medical facility as we have access to these records.
We encourage all Veterans to work with an accredited organization for assistance in completing claims for VA benefits. A list of accredited organizations can be found on the Office of General Counsel site at this link: Search the VA Office of the General Counsel’s list.
VBA has discontinued the use of public facing Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs). Originally, public facing DBQs were designed to assist Veterans living overseas to obtain medical evidence in support of their benefit claims where limited options were available. Today, VA works with contracted providers in more than 30 foreign countries to conduct disability medical examinations.