A clear path to accessing your VA health records
Understanding how to access service and health records and how to navigate the release of information (ROI) process is important for many Veterans as they manage their care. Veterans have the right to request copies of their VA health information, whether they need to review past appointments, share information with another provider or keep personal records. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) helps make this possible.
When the process is clear, Veterans are less likely to experience delays in receiving their records. Clear instructions help ensure requests are sent to the correct VA office so staff can process them efficiently while protecting Veterans’ privacy and health information
Veterans can access their records through My HealtheVet or follow the ROI submission process. Third-party requesters must use the ROI submission process.
Use My HealtheVet
Veterans can access their account to download many of their personal records.
Four steps to submit a request to VA health facilities
For third-party requesters or Veterans who need to submit a formal request to a VA health facility, follow these steps.
- Download the Appropriate Form
- Veterans: Download and print VA Form 10-5345a, “Individuals’ Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information.”
- Third-Party requesters: Download and print VA Form 10-5345, “Request for an Authorization to Release Health Information.”
- Locate Release of Information Offices
- Scan the QR code above or visit the Find VA Locations website to view a complete list of ROI offices with addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers.
- Then enter your location and select “VA health” from the Facility Type menu to search for nearby Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and clinics. Then, select “Search” to view your results.
- Find Your ROI Office Contact Information
- Select the VA facility where care was received.
- In the ‘On this page’ menu, select ‘Other Services’.
- Choose “Access your health records” to view the medical records office contact details.
- Submit Your Request
- Select the option to submit your request, whether in person, by mail or fax.
- In Person
- Veterans: Bring a completed VA Form 10-5345a and a valid ID or Veteran Health Identification Card to the ROI office at the VA facility where you received the care.
- Third-party requesters: Bring a completed VA Form 10-5345 and a valid ID to the ROI office at the VA facility where the Veteran received care.
- By Mail or Fax
- Veterans: Send the completed VA Form 10-5345a to the ROI office at the VA facility where you received the care.
- Third-party requesters: Send the completed VA Form 10-5345 to the ROI office at the VA facility where the Veteran received care.
- My HealtheVet Secure Messaging
- In Person
- Select the option to submit your request, whether in person, by mail or fax.
Typical response times
Most requests are completed within 30 days. Processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the request, record availability and workload. Older paper records, especially those created before 1998, may take up to 90 days because they must be retrieved from an offsite records storage facility.
A clear process for best results
Access to personal health records is both a right and an important part of staying engaged in care. Clear instructions for accessing records help Veterans take an active role in managing their health and well‑being.
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Good info, though the 90-day wait for pre-1998 paper records is brutal if you need them fast. I started storing my own records in KeepMD so I can pull up older stuff and ask questions about it without waiting on anyone.
I cannot use the internet because I don’t have an ID and password.
Great information .I received my records ? thank you
It would be helpful if articles such as this could be downloaded and saved on my computer for future reference.
More great info…that is useful information for all Veterans..Thanks VA
Those that have the new Electronic Health Record system at their VA CANNOT access all of their records through the website HealtheVet! There are gaps in records around the change-over to the Cerner Oracle system. Along with missing records. Even the Blue Button downloads are affected! Ann Arbor VA change-over was over a month ago and my older records disappeared completely from the Blue Button & the old Share Your data selection.
I have used the form method but I only get incomplete records back. I asked for a CD or digital copy of specific fluoroscopy images and got standard black & white prints that were blurry! No radiologist could have given a report on them because of the poor quality & the fact they weren’t digital.
I need specific records for supporting my service connected disability claim but the new system & human error makes it impossible.
Are you going to fix the problem with the Cerner Oracle debacle? Or just wait until the contract is up and hire a better EHR system?
I had x rays from basic training that have disappeared showing plantarfistitus, chin splints, and 4 teeth extraction alone with 3mobths in medical appointments for vomiting this all was documented by facility at Fort Eustidt and at fort Gordon both of which has stated that my records are not available to me nor did I ever recieve a copy to input the record myself please help how do I obtain a true medical record from the US army