The 3 records that decide VA claims
Veterans hear “you need your STRs and your C-File” constantly — and most have no idea what those are or how to get them. Here's the plain-language version, plus the one record that quietly decides most ratings.
STRs — Service Treatment Records
- What it is:
- Your military medical records: enlistment physical, every sick-call visit, injuries, dental, immunizations, and your separation exam.
- What it looks like:
- Older forms like the SF-88 and SF-93 (exam + medical history), handwritten sick-call notes, and your discharge physical — usually scanned.
- How to get yours:
- If you've ever filed a VA claim, the VA already pulled them into your file. Otherwise request them through milConnect (DoD) or the National Archives (NARA) for older service.
C-File — your Claims File
- What it is:
- The VA's complete master file on your disability claim(s). It contains your STRs PLUS every claim you've filed, each rating decision, your C&P exam results, the rater's notes, and all the evidence you ever submitted.
- What it looks like:
- One large PDF — often hundreds to 2,000+ pages, scanned, with section tabs.
- How to get yours:
- File a Freedom of Information Act / Privacy Act request with the VA for your C-File. You can do it online through VA.gov, or by mail/fax.
C&P Exam Results
- What it is:
- The report from your Compensation & Pension exam — what the VA's examiner found and their medical opinion. This single document often drives the rating decision more than anything else.
- What it looks like:
- A completed Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) or exam narrative with the examiner's findings and an "at least as likely as not" opinion.
- How to get yours:
- Request it through the same Privacy Act process after your exam, so you can see exactly what the examiner wrote — and whether you need to supplement or appeal.
You don't need all of them to win
These records help — but waiting months for a C-File isn't the only path. Many strong claims are built primarily on private, civilian medical records: your own doctors, sleep studies, specialists, and a solid nexus connecting the condition to your service. A current diagnosis, an in-service connection, and a medical opinion tying them together is what the VA weighs — and that evidence can come from your civilian file, not just your STRs.
So if you don't have your C-File yet, don't let that stop you. Start with what you have.
VA Claim Commander is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is not a VSO, law firm, or accredited representative. This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice.
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