How to Get Your Military Medical Records

Military medical records document the healthcare you received during service, whether you served on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves. These records can be important for medical continuity, disability claims, benefits applications, and general medical history.

Requesting military medical records isn't always straightforward, especially for older records that predate today's electronic systems. Your records may be maintained by the National Personnel Records Center, a Department of Defense system, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or a combination of these depending on when and where you served.

If you're trying to get military medical records, start by identifying which records you actually need and which agency or system is likely to have them. Then follow the appropriate request process, provide accurate identification information, and keep copies of everything you receive.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways

• Military medical records may be maintained by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), the Department of Defense (DoD), or military treatment facilities, depending on when and where you served.
• Military service or personnel records are different from military medical records. You may need one or both depending on why you're requesting them.
• Newer active-duty health records may be available electronically through DoD systems such as MHS GENESIS.
• Older military records may require a request through the National Archives and NPRC using eVetRecs or SF-180, as appropriate.
• VA medical records are separate from military medical records and are requested through VA.
• Processing times vary. Older or archived requests may take weeks or months.
• Keep personal copies of your DD-214 and any military medical records you receive.

Need help understanding your medical records? Learn more about what medical records contain, who can access them, and how to request a copy with August AI's guide to medical records.

Military Service Records vs. Military Medical Records

Before submitting a request, make sure you're asking for the right type of record. Military service and personnel records and military medical records overlap in some situations, but they are not the same thing.

Military service or personnel records document your military service. They can include information such as your dates of service, branch, assignments, discharge information, and other personnel documentation.

Military medical records document healthcare you received during service. Depending on your service and treatment, they may include medical examinations, diagnoses, injuries, illnesses, treatment notes, immunizations, dental care, hospitalizations, medications, testing, and other clinical information.

VA medical records are different again. These document healthcare you received through the Department of Veterans Affairs after service.

If you're applying for benefits, transitioning to civilian healthcare, or trying to document a medical condition from your service, you may need military medical records as well as other service or VA records.

Why Military Medical Records Matter

Military medical records document important information about your service-related health, including illnesses, injuries, medical evaluations, immunizations, dental care, deployment-related health information, mental health treatment, exposure documentation, and separation examinations.

These records can be useful for submitting a VA disability compensation claim, applying for military-related benefits, transitioning care to a civilian provider, documenting a service-related medical condition, or simply understanding your own health history.

The exact records you need depend on your service period, your medical history, and the specific claim or purpose involved. For a broader look at what's included in medical records generally, see our guide on medical records: what's inside them, who can access them, and how to get your copy.

Where Are Military Medical Records Stored?

Military medical records aren't stored in one universal database. Their location depends on when and where you served, whether you separated from service, and whether you received care through VA after separation.

National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Operated by the National Archives, the NPRC in St. Louis, Missouri, maintains military service records for former service members. It is an important starting point for many older military records.

Department of Defense (DoD) systems. More recent active-duty health records may be available electronically through DoD systems, including MHS GENESIS, the DoD's electronic health record system used across military healthcare facilities.

Military treatment facilities. Records from a specific military hospital or clinic may still be associated with that facility, particularly if you're still on active duty or received recent care.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA maintains medical records for veterans who received care through VA after leaving service. VA medical records are separate from military service medical records.

Knowing which system has your specific records can save time and help you avoid submitting requests to the wrong place.

How to Request Your Military Medical Records: Step by Step

The request process depends on the age and type of records you're looking for. Use these steps to determine where to start.

1. Identify the records you need. Decide whether you're looking for military medical records, military service or personnel records, VA medical records, or a combination. If you need medical documentation for a specific injury, illness, hospitalization, or treatment, note the approximate dates and location.
2. Check MHS GENESIS for newer DoD records. If you're looking for recent Military Health System information, check the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal to see what health information is available electronically.
3. Use the National Archives and NPRC for older records. For many older military records, start with the National Archives military records request page. The appropriate process depends on the type of record and your eligibility.
4. Submit the request through the appropriate method. Eligible requesters may be able to use eVetRecs for online requests or use the SF-180 for eligible requests submitted through the applicable mail or fax process.
5. Request VA records separately when needed. If you received healthcare through VA after leaving service, use VA's medical records request guidance. VA medical records are maintained separately from military service records.
6. Request civilian records separately if applicable. If you received authorized care from a civilian provider during or after your service, that provider may maintain its own records. Contact the provider directly.
7. Save your request information. Keep confirmation numbers, tracking information, correspondence, and copies of the records you receive. This makes it easier to follow up if something is missing.

How to Request Older Military Medical Records

For older service records, the National Personnel Records Center is an important source. Before submitting a request, gather as much identifying information as possible.

When you request military medical records, gather:

• Full name used during service, including any name changes
• Service branch and dates of service
• Service number or Social Security number, when applicable
• Date and place of birth
• Type of records you're requesting
• Specific dates or events relevant to your request
• Name and location of the military treatment facility, if known
• Your reason for the request, such as benefits, medical care, or personal use

Be as specific as possible. Instead of simply requesting "all medical records," identify the particular hospital, clinic, treatment period, injury, illness, or examination you're looking for when you can.

For general guidance on tracking down historical records, see our guide on how to track down old medical records, including childhood ones.

Access Newer Records Through DoD Systems

If you're still on active duty or your service was more recent, some of your military medical records may be available electronically.

MHS GENESIS is the DoD's electronic health record system used across military healthcare facilities. Active-duty members and beneficiaries may be able to access certain records through the system.

TRICARE Online may also provide access to certain healthcare records for eligible beneficiaries. Military treatment facility patient portals may provide additional record access depending on the facility and your status.

Newer records may still coexist with paper or older-format records. Portal access doesn't necessarily replace the need to request specific records from the appropriate records custodian.

Records After Leaving Service

Once you've left service, records handling can change.

Your military medical records and your post-service VA medical records are maintained separately. If you received care through VA after leaving service, those records are maintained through VA systems.

If you have both military service medical records and VA records, you may need to request them separately from different sources. Ask specifically for the records related to the period you're interested in so you can build a more complete medical history.

For guidance on accessing medical records online more generally, see our guide on how to view your medical records online for free.

Records for Disability Claims and Benefits

When you're applying for VA disability compensation or other military-related benefits, your medical records may be important supporting documentation.

The VA may help gather some records as part of its evaluation process. You can also personally request military medical records to include with a benefits application. Depending on the claim, you may need documentation from your active service period, post-service VA care, or other healthcare providers.

If you're applying for benefits, a Veterans Service Officer or VA representative can help identify what records may be relevant to your specific claim.

For a template you can adapt for records requests generally, see our guide on medical records request form templates and how to use them.

What to Do About Missing or Incomplete Records

Military medical records aren't always complete. Records can be missing for various reasons, including gaps in original documentation, archive damage or loss, inconsistencies in how records were maintained during your service period, and administrative errors.

If records are missing or incomplete, ask the appropriate records custodian whether reconstructed or alternative records may be available. You can also work with a Veterans Service Officer to identify other documentation that may help establish your medical history.

Depending on the situation, alternative documentation may include records from specific military treatment facilities, VA records, civilian medical records, medical examinations, hospital records, or other service-related documentation.

For older records affected by the 1973 NPRC fire, additional research or alternative sources may be necessary.

Keeping Your Personal Copies

Once you receive your military medical records, keep your own copies in a secure location. Physical copies can be stored in a safe, waterproof storage system, while digital copies can be kept in secure cloud storage or another protected location. Multiple backup locations can help ensure records aren't lost because of a single event.

Your DD Form 214, or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is especially important to keep with your other military documents. It verifies your military service and may be needed for benefits applications, healthcare coordination, and other administrative matters.

Keeping organized personal copies means you'll have your records readily available when they're needed for future benefits applications, medical care transitions, or other purposes.

Conclusion

Getting military medical records starts with identifying exactly what you need and where those records are likely to be stored. Military service records, military medical records, and VA medical records are related but separate categories, and you may need to request them from different sources.

For newer DoD health records, check MHS GENESIS first. For many older military records, use the National Archives and NPRC request process through eVetRecs or SF-180 as appropriate. Request VA records separately if you received care through VA after service.

Submit clear, specific requests with the identifying information needed to locate your records, and keep copies of your requests and the records you receive. If you're pursuing a disability claim or benefits application, a Veterans Service Officer or VA representative can help you understand what documentation may be relevant to your specific situation.