Finding the right VA office for your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records request just got easier. VA has redesigned the page Veterans use to request records.
Whether you’re requesting a DD214, medical record or benefits letter, this page helps you get started. It replaces a maze of legal terms and links with clearly labeled boxes that match you to the form you need.
You don’t need to know the difference between a FOIA request and a Privacy Act request. You don’t need to know which VA administration handles what. You simply choose the box that matches what you’re looking for.
That’s more than a design change. It means less time searching and more time getting the records you need.
Find the right office faster
Before the redesign, a Veteran’s request for medical records might end up in a benefits mailbox. A DD214 request might land in a queue unrelated to military personnel records. Every misdirected request meant more waiting and more frustration for Veterans who were already navigating an important life event.
After the redesign, misdirected requests have dropped by 90%, helping Veterans reach the correct office faster, while maintaining the same level of access to VA records.
“We transformed a confusing, text-heavy process into a simple, intuitive experience built around clearly labeled selection boxes that guide requesters directly to the right office,” said Tammy Wray, VA FOIA public liaison. “As both a VA employee and a retired military Veteran, it was important to me that every requester, especially our fellow Veterans, could easily find and request the records they need.”
Teams across VA, including the Office of Information and Technology, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration and National Cemetery Administration, worked together to redesign the page and improve the records request experience for Veterans.
How it works
The FOIA and records request page includes clearly labeled boxes for the most common requests, including:
- Veterans Benefits Administration records
- Veterans Health Administration records
- Military service records and next-of-kin requests
- DD214 requests
- National Cemetery Administration records
- Employment verification
- Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) claims
- Publicly available records and proactive disclosures
Some requests include more than one option because they follow different processes. Pick the option that fits, and the site opens the right form or submission system.
Built with Veterans in mind
The page launched in October 2025 with six sections and has continued to evolve based on the questions Veterans ask every day.
VA reviews incoming requests routinely to identify common challenges and update the page so Veterans can find answers more easily.
“I find the boxes with brief descriptions and bold print especially helpful for a quick view of what we are looking for during visits,” said Amy Jack, Navy Veteran and Veteran Health Care navigator. “The addition of direct links to the actual information eliminates the need to locate an accurate website and navigate to the information required.”
Get started today
The next time you need a record from VA, skip the guesswork.
Visit the FOIA and records request page, select the box that matches the record you’re looking for, and immediately access the correct form.
Know another Veteran who needs a VA record? Share this page with them.
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Thank you VA very much God bless the USA in
trying to use this to submit a request for DBQ and C&P exams, and it goes directly to a quicksubmit page – am I supposed to have a separate form ready before going to this tab? I understood it would take me to a form for that request – similar to the other/older process. am I getting this wrong, or is the link going to the wrong place, or….?
Too bad this doesn’t mean you’ll get what you requested any faster. I requested my medical records almost a year ago so I can get the appropriate civilian medical care and there’s basically been no movement since. Seems like the VA still has a lot more improving to do…
Question: is there a Veteran’s legal representative office for those of us who do not have an attorney to speak with on individual business-type challenges?
I filled form OMB 3095-0029 to request records. Where should I send it to?
https://www.change.org/p/freedom-of-speech-for-veterans-and-retired-military
Senior leaders at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Southern Arizona VA Health Care System seek to permanently silence dissenting opinions from those they purport to serve.
VA Secretary Doug Collins and OEIDMO@va.gov refuse to acknowledge receipt of, consider, and respond to petitions for a redress of grievances, petitions for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule, and petitions for the withdrawal or modification of a guidance document.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” First Amendment.
“Each agency shall give an interested person the right to petition for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule.”
5 USC 533(e).
“A member of the public wishing to petition for withdrawal or modification of a guidance document may submit such petition via email to: OEIDMO@va.gov. VA will provide a response to a petition within 90 days of receipt of the request.”
38 CFR 5.20.
VA online services terms of use (Version 1, last updated March 2024) clearly abridge and infringe on freedom of speech and petition under the First Amendment, 38 CFR § 5, 38 CFR § 17, Executive Order 13891, Executive Order 14149, and
VA Handbook 8502.
“Each guidance document must clearly and prominently state that it does not bind the public.”
“Each patient has the right to present any matter to staff members at the facility in which the patient is receiving care and other VA officials without fear of reprisal.”
“Agencies may impose legally binding requirements on the public only through regulations.”
“It is the policy of the United States to ensure that no Federal Government officer, employee, or agent engages in or facilitates any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen.”
“The First Amendment greatly curtails enforcement of restrictions on free speech by a governmental entity.”
Go to https://www.va.gov/terms-of-use/. Under General Disclaimer:
“Unauthorized or prohibited use includes these actions” are not binding rules vetted by the public under the Administrative Procedure Act, specifically 5 USC 553. They are are agency guidance subject to the provisions of
38 CFR 5.15 and Executive Order 13891. Therefore, they are improperly identified and unlawfully enforced on the public.
DELETE the following text which is not permitted by the Government:
“Using messaging to promote your personal agenda, for solicitation, to transmit prohibited material, or for disruptive and/or threatening behavior. (Note: You may use messaging only to communicate with your VA health care team about your health care and VA benefits and services, and with VA staff about your privacy rights.)
Sending material that infringes on the patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, privacy, or publicity rights of others.
Transmitting material that is excessive, illegal, offensive, intimidating, harmful, or threatening to any person (including VA staff) or entity as we determine using our discretion.”
ADD the following text:
“The only lawful terms of use for all communications, regardless of frequency, method, recipient, sender, or subject, are as follows–No others are authorized!
U.S. Constitution: Freedom of Speech and Petition.
Executive Order 14149: Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship.
5 USC 553: Petition for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule.
38 CFR 0: Core Values, Characteristics, and Customer Experience Principles of the Department.
38 CFR 5: Petition for the withdrawal or modification of a guidance document.
38 CFR 15: Communications.
38 CFR 17: Patient’s rights.”
Please sign, share, and support this petition!
Contact OEIDMO.
Report to the VA Office of Inspector General.
Report to the Office of Special Counsel.
Contact VA oversight. VAEmailRep_@VetAff.senate.gov, VAEmailDem_@VetAff.senate.gov, HVAC.Republicans@mail.house.gov, HVAC.Democrats@mail.house.gov
Contact your congressional delegation.
Contact the White House.
Thank you!
Is that why my foia request are going on 13 months and 6 mo ths
I filed and requested my c-file June 23,2025.
It is now more than 425 days …
And my requested file has reached
step 2 but still not assigned to anyone
Please explain. Why?
The va helps
Love the updates VA is implementing. Hopefully a new booklet with all the valuable instructions will be issued when all updates are-completed.
Thank you!
How may I receive a copy of all my authorized awards; I noticed some mentioned on a carbon copy of a DD214 which I never was informed about them. This is The First time I have asked this question, it isn’t a duplicated inquiry!
How may I receive a copy of all my authorized awards; I noticed some mentioned on a carbon copy of a DD214 which I never was informed about them.
I am a USMC Veteran who like so many served 1 year of their active duty on the ground in Viet Nam 1965 to 1966. I would like to know if a deceased friend, a fellow marine , who is buried in a National VA Cemetery in Colorado in 2023 what did he die from?
You need to call and ask the family. The va cant give you that
Thank you for this.