Name the records you are looking for
VA distinguishes clinical records from military-service records and Veterans Benefits Administration files. A request for a medical chart is not the same as a request for a service history or a benefits claim file.
If another practice has asked for information, ask what dates and types of records would help its intake. Keep that list for your own request. Downloading a document for yourself does not automatically send it to the receiving practice or establish an appointment.
Check the current medical-records tool
VA’s current online tool lets eligible registered VA patients review, print and download record categories, including care summaries and notes. Protect any files you download or print.
Use the current VA.gov instructions rather than an older portal guide. VA no longer allows users to add self-entered information directly to the medical record in My HealtheVet; corrections or new clinical information should go through the care team. Historical self-entered information has a separate download option.
Sources: VA: Review medical records online; VA: About reviewing medical records online
Use the treating facility’s Release of Information process
VA describes a secure-message request to a team at the treating facility with Release of Information in its name. If that team is not available in messaging, the alternative is the own-copy request, VA Form 10-5345a, submitted to the facility by its listed route.
Find the records office through the facility’s Access your health records information. If care was at a community-based or outpatient clinic, ask whether that clinic holds the records or whether the request belongs at another VA facility. For an in-person request, follow VA’s identification instructions.
Check the response and handle missing material
The facility process can take time depending on how records are stored. Use its current processing and follow-up instructions rather than expecting every document immediately in the portal.
Compare what arrived with your original list and ask the records office about missing dates or categories. If you want to share a copy with another practice, obtain that office’s secure delivery instructions. Neither a download nor an own-record request guarantees that all separately held information appears in one file.
Sources: VA: Get medical records from your health facility; VA: Review medical records online
Your next-step checklist
- List the clinical record types and date range needed.
- Use the current My HealtheVet medical-records instructions.
- Find the correct facility’s Release of Information office for missing records.
- Use the own-copy request route and retain confirmation.
- Check the response and arrange any delivery to another practice separately.
Keep personal, insurance and medical information in the appropriate organization’s approved secure channel.
Common questions
Is this the way to request my military service or VA benefits file?
No. VA directs military service records and Veterans Benefits Administration records through different processes. Use the route for the actual record you need.
Can I add a correction directly to my downloaded VA record?
Do not alter a clinical record. VA directs new information or correction questions to the care team through an appointment or secure message; the current My HealtheVet does not let you add information directly to the medical record.
Sources and verification
The sources below support the administrative information in this guide. Follow the responsible organization’s current instructions when requirements, forms or contact routes change.
- VA: Get medical records from your health facility — checked .
- VA: Review medical records online — checked .
- VA: About reviewing medical records online — checked .