Hidden Gold: Request Your In‑Service Inpatient Clinical Records Today

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Your missing smoking gun may be in a hospital file VA can’t see. Today, request your in‑service inpatient clinical records (military hospital admissions) from the National Archives—these are stored separate from your STRs and often prove surgeries, injuries, or diagnoses. Use the online request, choose Inpatient Clinical Records, and enter the hospital name, location, and the month/year of treatment. When they arrive, upload them to your VA claim on VA.gov. This can fill nexus and chronicity gaps and unlock service connection or a higher rating.

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VA Claim Helper is led by a U.S. Navy submariner (ET2/SS, USS Pittsburgh 1995–2005) translating VA law into plain-English claim strategy so veterans can document service connection, prep for C&P exams, and win ratings without guesswork.

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Service: U.S. Navy • 1995–2005 • USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), ET2/SS

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