Pull Your C-File: Know What VA Knows

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Filed under:Claim Evidence & Filing Essentials

Stop guessing—pull your C‑File today. VA decides based on what's in that file, not what you remember. Go to VA.gov and submit a FOIA/Privacy Act request for your full Claims File (C‑File)—ask for electronic delivery so you can search it. When it arrives, scan for missing service treatment records, C&P reports, outdated addresses, or diagnoses that don't match your reality. Flag every error with page numbers and dates, then be ready to upload corrected evidence and a short statement pointing to those pages. This one move lets you fix bad data before a decision, or build a precise appeal after. If you need a specific form, check VA.gov for the current one.

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VA Claim Helper is an independent, veteran-run resource. We’re not affiliated with the VA and don’t provide legal representation. This information is educational only.

For official claim assistance, please find an accredited representative (VSO, attorney, or claims agent) .

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About VA Claim Helper

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.

We publish daily VA disability tips, evidence checklists, and field manuals that walk you from Intent to File through appeals. Every guide is battle-tested with the veteran community and refreshed when VA policy shifts so the intel stays mission ready.

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

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  • FAQ — clear answers to the most frequent VA claim questions.

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