What is a Claims File, or “C File”?

A Claims File is the collection of documents kept by the VA for your VA disability claims. Most often the Claims File will include your Service Treatment Records, prior applications for benefits, and Rating Decisions. This does not include your treatment records unless you have submitted them directly to the VA as evidence for your disability claim.

*If you have never filed a claim for disability benefits you will not have a claims file with the VA.

Obtaining your claims file is important because this allows you to argue evidence that is “in the record” for your claim or add evidence that is not “in the record.”

Request your claims file by filling out the form below: