BENEFITKARMA
    Benefits Newsroom
    Free review

    Free VA Records Review (C-File)

    Want to know what's in your VA file? A VA-accredited attorney requests your full C-File, we review it, and you get a plain-language summary with possible next steps. It usually takes 2–4 weeks.

    Free · Free account required · Private · About 5 minutes

    Free VA Records Review (C-File) illustration

    How it works

    1. 1

      Answer a few questions

      Tell us who you are and about your service. It takes about 5 minutes.

    2. 2

      E-sign your permission

      You sign the VA form that lets a VA-accredited attorney request your file for you.

    3. 3

      Get your summary

      We review your file and send a plain-language summary with possible next steps.

    What you get

    • Your full VA Claims File (C-File), requested for you
    • A review of what is in it, and what may be missing
    • A plain-language summary you can keep
    • Possible next steps, such as an appeal or a new claim, to think about

    What this tool does

    • • Requests your full C-File through a VA-accredited attorney, with your written permission
    • • Reviews your file and points out possible errors or missing records
    • • Explains what it found in plain language

    What this tool does not do

    • • Does not file a claim or appeal for you
    • • Does not promise any rating, decision or back pay
    • • Does not cost anything

    What is a VA C-File, and why see it?

    Your C-File, or Claims File, is the complete record the VA used to decide your disability claims. It can include your service treatment records, VA and private medical records, C&P exam reports, rating decisions, appeals and letters between you and the VA.

    Seeing your file helps you understand why the VA decided the way it did. C-Files can be incomplete. A missing record, a weak exam report or a wrong date may affect your rating, and you can only spot these if you see the file.

    You can ask the VA for your file yourself with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act request, but it often takes months, and the file can run hundreds of pages. With this free service, a VA-accredited attorney requests it for you and we turn it into a short, plain-language summary.

    Common questions

    A VA C-File is your Claims File, the full record the VA used to decide your disability claims. It can include service treatment records, VA and private medical records, C&P exam reports, rating decisions, appeals and letters between you and the VA. It shows what evidence the VA had when it decided.

    You should see your C-File because it shows what the VA based its decisions on. C-Files are sometimes incomplete or contain errors. Reviewing yours may help you spot missing records, weak exam reports or wrong dates before you file a new claim or an appeal.

    The free VA records review works in three steps. You answer a few questions and e-sign a VA form that lets a VA-accredited attorney request your file. The attorney requests your full C-File. We review it and send you a plain-language summary with possible next steps.

    Getting your C-File through this free service usually takes about 2–4 weeks. A request you send to the VA on your own, such as a FOIA request, can often take three to six months or more. Timing can vary with the VA's workload.

    Yes, the VA records review is free. There is no cost to request your file or to get your summary. You create a free account so your signed forms and your summary are kept safe in one place.

    An attorney needs a signed VA form because the VA only shares your file with someone you have given written permission to. The VA form names a VA-accredited attorney as your representative for this request, so they can ask the VA for your records on your behalf.

    Yes, you can request your C-File yourself. You can send a FOIA or Privacy Act request to the VA with your name, date of birth and Social Security or VA file number. It is free, but it can take months, and you would need to review the pages on your own.

    No, a records review does not file a claim or appeal for you. It gets your file and explains what is in it. You decide what to do next. If you want help with a claim or appeal, you can work with a VSO, a VA-accredited attorney or a claims agent.

    The difference between your VA medical records and your C-File is scope. Your VA medical records are only one part of the file. The full C-File also holds your claim decisions, C&P exams, appeals and letters with the VA, so it shows the whole claim history.

    Keep going

    Free explorer

    VA Appeal Options Explorer

    Free form helper

    DIY VA Intent to File Helper

    Guide

    VA Appeals Guide

    Guide

    VA Disability Claim Evidence Checklist

    Article

    VA Freedom of Information Act Request: How to Get Your C-File

    Article

    The Difference Between a Diagnosis and a Service Connection

    Words to know

    Last reviewed September 26, 2026. For general information only, not legal or medical advice.

    Sources: VA: Request your VA records · VA: Accredited representatives

    Your Privacy Matters

    We use cookies for site analytics and to improve your experience. Marketing and personalization stay off unless you opt in. Privacy Policy. You can customize your preferences anytime.