VA Form 20-10206
Privacy Act / FOIA Request for VA Records
You want a copy of your C-File (complete VA claims file), your rating decisions, VA medical records, or other records VA holds about you.
- Who fills it
- veteran
- Journey phase
- Before You File
- Estimated time
- 15-20 minutes.
- When to file
- Anytime. Requesting and reviewing your C-File before filing a claim is highly recommended - it shows you what VA already has and what is missing.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-20-10206/
Walk it box by box
Fill it out with your information
Open the official VA form, then work down the boxes below. Each one is pre-filled from what you have already entered in Claim Recon and explained in plain language with the wording a VA rater expects. Review and edit every answer, then export your worksheet and copy it onto the official form. We never fill out or submit anything for you.
Gather before you start
- ▸Your VA File Number and SSN
- ▸Specific records being requested (C-File, medical records, rating decisions, all records)
- ▸Date range if applicable (e.g., records from 2010-2020)
Attach with the form
- ▸Copy of photo ID (driver's license or passport) to verify identity
Section I - Requester Identification
Blocks 1-5Name, SSN, VA File Number, DOB, addressPII
Your identifying information. For Privacy Act requests (your own records), you must prove identity - VA will request a copy of a photo ID. For C-File requests, include your VA File Number from any VA letter.
(legal name, SSN, VA file number, DOB, address)
Common mistakes
- ×Not including a photo ID copy - VA cannot release records without identity verification.
- ×Not knowing your VA File Number - it is on your rating decision letters and eBenefits profile.
Section II - Records Requested
Block 6Specific records being requested
Be specific: (1) C-FILE (complete claims file - all claims, evidence, rating decisions, C&P exams, VA correspondence); (2) MEDICAL RECORDS from specific VAMC; (3) ALL RECORDS (everything VA has about you); (4) Specific document (e.g., rating decision from 2019). Requesting the C-File before a claim is extremely valuable - it shows what evidence VA has, what evidence is missing, and what past decisions said.
e.g., Complete C-File (claims file) including all rating decisions, C&P exam reports, and correspondence. Also: VA medical records from Phoenix VAMC 2015-present.
Common mistakes
- ×Not requesting the C-File before filing an appeal or new claim - you cannot effectively challenge a decision without seeing all the evidence VA considered.
- ×Requesting "all records" without specifying the C-File - VA sometimes interprets "all records" narrowly.
- ×Not knowing that the online MyVA411 / eVetRecs system may be faster than paper form for some records.
Authority
- 38 USC 5701 - Privacy protections for VA beneficiary information; authority for controlled disclosures to third parties.
Section III - Authorization
Blocks 7-8Requester signature and datePII
Sign and date. Include a copy of your photo ID. Mail to: VA Records Management Center (for C-File), or to the specific VAMC (for medical records). Processing time: typically 20-30 business days, though C-File requests can take months.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Not attaching photo ID - VA will return the request.
- ×Mailing to the wrong VA location - C-File requests go to the VA Records Management Center in St. Louis, not your local regional office.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 USC 5701 - Privacy protections for VA beneficiary information; authority for controlled disclosures to third parties.