Documents

Q.  What should I bring when I meet with a VSO?

A.   These are the items that would be very helpful to bring to a meeting with a VSO.  If you can't, that's fine, we will do all we can anyway.

• All DD-214s
• Copies of anything you have sent to the VA (prior claims,appeals, supporting documents, etc.)
• Copies of all letters received from the VA (award letters, denials, etc.)
• Copies of all marriage certificates (current and prior), including for any current spouse.
• Copies of all dependent children's birth certificates and adoptions.
• Enrollment records of dependent children over 18 that are going to college.
• A voided check or deposit slip where any benefits awarded are to be direct deposited.
• Letters from any non-VA doctors you are seeng that specifies the diagnosis of the condition for which you intend to file a disability claim.  Bonus if they state i fit is secondary to something else and/or if they say they beilieve it is related to your military service.
• A statement (called a "Lay Statement") from you stating what events in the military are related to the condition you are claiming benefits for and how the condition has affected your life.  You cannot say anything "medical" in this statement.
• A list of all non-VA doctors you have seen for each condition you wish to claim along with their addresses and dates of care.

Q.  Why do you need all this stuff?

A.   Some of it is for supporting documentation for various VA forms we will need to complete.  The rest is for reference to be sure we have the right info and in case the VA wants them for verification.  In both cases, if we already have them, we can more quickly and completely fill out forms for you and respond to VA info requests.

Q.  What is a DD-214?

A.   This is a Department of Defence "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" document provided to all military personnel when they are released from active duty (discharged, retired, etc.).  This is a very important document to have and keep safe as it contains all the important info about a vet's service including branch, service number, dates, rank, awards, and discharge type.  This form was first issued in 1950 so anyone being released from duty before then would have received a different document and there were several over the years.

Q.  Where can I get a DD-214 or other separation document?

A.   You can request it online via the National Archives.  This is the same place to go to get help replacing service medals and to get a copy of service records.

Q.  Who can get a copy of a DD-214?

A.   As with all military records, only the veteran and their next-of-kin can request the records unless they have been out of the service for over 62 years.  After 62 years they become a matter of public record and anyone can request them.

Q.  What records do I need to keep?

A.  The short answer?  Everything. 

Keep everything about your service and dealings with the VA.  But most particularly, you should keep a copy of:

• your miltary service records
• your military medical records
• your DD-214(s)
• all claims and other letters and material sent to the VA
• all letters, claim updates, descision letters, and anything else received from the VA. 

Keep these FOREVER.  You never know when they may come in handy later, especially if you need to make new claims or make claims to upgrade your ratings plus your surviving spouse and/or children may need them after your death.