Disability filing without DD-214 and service treatment records?

Yes, you can and should file your formal claim now despite not having your DD-214 or service treatment records (STRs). The VA has a duty to assist in obtaining relevant records under 38 CFR 3.159, but you are not required to have them in hand to submit your claim. To establish service connection without STRs, you must provide alternative evidence satisfying the three Caluza elements (Caluza v. Brown, 7 Vet.App. 498 (1995)): a current diagnosis (per 38 CFR 4.130 for mental health, for example), an in-service event or injury, and a medical nexus linking the two. Submit a fully developed claim (FDC) on VA Form 21-526EZ with detailed lay statements (buddy letters) describing the in-service event, its continuity, and your current symptoms, per the guidance in Buchanan v. Nicholson (451 F.3d 1331 (Fed. Cir. 2006)) which holds that veteran testimony is competent evidence. Cite specific incidents, dates, and units to aid VA’s records search. Concurrently, request your records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) using an SF-180 and submit this pending request as part of your claim to show due diligence. The VA will also attempt to obtain your records, but your detailed personal account can trigger its duty to seek alternative corroboration, such as unit morning reports or deployment data. Do not delay filing beyond your intent-to-file expiration date (one year from October 14, 2025), as this preserves your earlier effective date for potential backpay under 38 CFR 3.155.

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes regarding VA claims processes and is not intended as legal, medical, or official VA advice. For guidance specific to your claim, consult an accredited VA attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO).*