How do I get a DD-214 issued if one was never created, and can I still file a VA disability claim without it?

A DD-214 is generated by the service member's branch at the time of separation, and it is possible for one to never be issued or to be lost in the system, especially for reservists who separated under unusual circumstances such as never drilling in person or separating during administrative disruptions. When the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and the service branch itself cannot locate a DD-214, the first step is to request a Personnel Qualification Record or Statement of Service directly from the relevant personnel command, which for Navy Reserve members is the Navy Personnel Command (PERS), not NPRC. PERS can research the member's official military personnel file (OMPF) and either issue a corrected or delayed DD-214 or provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge substitute document. A veteran can also submit a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form 180) to formally request that the branch search its records and issue the missing document. If the branch confirms no DD-214 was ever generated due to an administrative error, they can process one retroactively based on the service record.

Importantly, a DD-214 is not strictly required to file a VA disability claim. The VA can accept alternative evidence of service and character of discharge, including personnel records, orders, training certificates, pay records, or a Statement of Service letter from the unit or personnel command. When filing, the veteran should submit VA Form 21-526EZ and note in the application that the DD-214 is unavailable, attaching whatever service records are on hand. The VA's own duty to assist under 38 CFR 3.159 requires them to help obtain federal records, including from the service department, so the VA will also make its own request to the National Personnel Records Center and the Navy on the veteran's behalf once a claim is filed.

What would this rating pay you? (2026 rates)

Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.

Rating Married Children

per month · per year, tax-free

Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.

2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)

Rating	Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA)
10%	$180.42
20%	$356.66
30%	$552.47
40%	$795.84
50%	$1,132.90
60%	$1,435.02
70%	$1,808.45
80%	$2,102.15
90%	$2,362.30
100%	$3,938.58

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For injuries sustained during training, the claim would fall under line-of-duty determinations tied to the specific training period, so any injury/treatment records from that time, and any line-of-duty investigation paperwork if one exists, become important supporting evidence even in the absence of a DD-214.

The concrete next step is for the veteran to contact Navy Personnel Command directly to request a Statement of Service or corrected DD-214, and in parallel file the VA disability claim now using VA Form 21-526EZ with available training and medical records, noting that the DD-214 is missing and unable to be produced despite requests to NPRC and the Navy.