There are two different record sets veterans usually need, and they come from two different places. Service treatment records (STRs) and personnel records from time on active duty are held by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), part of the National Archives. These can be requested online through the eVetRecs system at archives.gov, or by mailing a Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records) to NPRC. If the veteran or their next of kin submits the request, no special authorization is usually needed, but processing can take time, especially for older records or those affected by the 1973 fire that destroyed many Army and Air Force files from that era.
The second record set is the VA claims file, sometimes called the C-file. This contains everything VA used to decide the claim, including exam reports, rating decisions, and any evidence submitted. This is separate from the military service records and is held by VA, not NPRC. A veteran can request their complete C-file by submitting a written request to VA (a simple letter asking for a copy of the claims folder works, or some regional offices accept a Freedom of Information Act request), or by downloading available claim documents directly through VA.gov or eBenefits under the disability compensation section. If the veteran has legal representation such as a Veterans Service Organization or an accredited attorney/agent, that representative can often request the C-file on the veteran's behalf and may have faster access through VBMS.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| 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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Analyze my claim free →Because the veteran describes a prior claim from 2019 that resulted in a zero percent rating, and he wants to challenge or add to that decision now, the correct next step depends on how much time has passed since that decision. If it has been more than one year, filing a new Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) with new and relevant evidence, or a Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996) if no new evidence is needed but an error is alleged, are the standard paths. Getting the C-file first is useful because it shows exactly what evidence VA already had and what might be missing.
The concrete next step is to request the VA claims file (C-file) directly from VA or through an accredited Veterans Service Organization while separately requesting the STRs from NPRC through eVetRecs, since both records are needed and come from different agencies.
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