VA C-File
Your VA C-File: What It Contains and How to Request It
Your Claims File — the C-File — is everything VA collected and relied on when deciding your disability claims. It is the single most useful document set for understanding why a claim was granted or denied.
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What is inside a C-File
C-Files are often hundreds or thousands of pages, mixing typed records, scanned forms, and handwritten notes. Everything VA considered should be in there.
- Rating decisions and codesheets
- C&P examination reports and DBQs
- Service treatment records VA obtained
- VA and private medical evidence submitted
- Personal statements, buddy statements, and medical opinions
- Claim applications and VA correspondence
- Favorable findings and previous denial reasons
C-File versus Service Treatment Records
They are not the same. Service Treatment Records document medical care during military service and are requested through the National Archives or your branch. The C-File contains records related to your VA claims and VA's decisions, and is requested from VA.
Once you have the file, the work is finding the handful of pages that matter: the in-service event, the current diagnosis, the nexus statement, and the sentence explaining each denial.
Frequently asked questions
How do I request my VA C-File?
You request it from VA, typically through a records or Privacy Act/FOIA request. VA.gov publishes the current process and forms.
How long does a C-File request take?
Processing times vary widely and can take several months depending on file size and format.
What format does the C-File come in?
Most veterans receive a digital file, often a very large PDF containing scanned pages of mixed quality.
StratForge Pro tool
Want AI to analyze your C-File?
StratForge Pro can analyze your uploaded C-File, identify relevant evidence, organize records, and help you review claim information.
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Plain-English rating criteria drawn from 38 CFR Part 4.
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