How to Request VA Medical Records & Your Veterans Claims File (C-File) — Form 10-5345a vs. Form 20-10206
Understanding the critical difference between VHA Hospital Treatment Records (VA Form 10-5345a / My HealtheVet Blue Button) and your VBA Claims Folder / C-File (VA Form 20-10206 FOIA/Privacy Act request), plus retrieving private nexus records.
Quick-Reference Facts: VA Medical Records & C-File Guide
- VHA Treatment Records Form
- VA Form 10-5345a ('Individuals' Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information') or VA Form 10-5345 (Third-Party Release).
- VBA C-File (Claims Folder) Form
- VA Form 20-10206 ('Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act Request') submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs Evidence Intake Center (Janesville, WI).
- Free Online Portal
- VA.gov / My HealtheVet Blue Button allows instant free download of VHA outpatient notes, labs, and problem lists from VA Medical Centers.
- Private Hospital Nexus Gap
- VA adjudicators requireVA Form 21-4142/21-4142a or private medical record submission—and private hospitals often ignore standard VA requests unless actively chased.
VHA Medical Center Treatment Records vs. VBA Claims Folder (C-File)
| Record Type | Official VA Form | Where It Is Stored | What It Contains |
|---|---|---|---|
| VHA Medical Center Treatment Chart | VA Form 10-5345a (Self) / 10-5345 (Third Party) or My HealtheVet Blue Button | Local VA Medical Center (VAMC) Release of Information Office | VA doctor notes, VA labs, VA prescriptions, and VA hospital stays ONLY |
| VBA Claims Folder (The 'C-File') | VA Form 20-10206 (FOIA / Privacy Act Request) | VBA Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) / Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547 | Complete military STRs, all C&P Exam DBQs, Rating Decisions, Code Sheets, and DD-214 |
Why Requesting Records from Your Local VA Hospital Does NOT Give You Your C-File or C&P Exams
The Department of Veterans Affairs is divided into two separate administrations that maintain separate record systems: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA, which runs VA hospitals and clinics) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA, which adjudicates disability compensation claims). Submitting VA Form 10-5345a to your local VA Medical Center Release of Information office will only produce your VHA clinical treatment records. If you are preparing a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) appeal and need your Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), historical rating code sheets, and complete military Service Treatment Records, you must request your VBA Claims Folder (C-File) using VA Form 20-10206.
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