Essential Records Guide: What to Submit Based on Your Situation

The final step in your Fieldstone Service Plan enrollment is uploading records for our Records Review. Since obtaining military and medical records can be time-consuming, this guide helps you prioritize which records are most critical for your specific situation and explains how additional records can strengthen your case.

Find Out What Records You Need, Based on Your Fieldstone Navigator Results:

Increasing Your VA Rating for a Mental Health Condition

‍Essential Records:

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Rating Decision Letter
• C&P Exam DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire), if available

Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records that demonstrate your symptoms are more severe than your current rating reflect:

• Recent medical treatment records showing ongoing mental health care
• Employment records documenting work limitations or accommodations
• Personal statements describing daily life impacts
• Buddy statements from family/friends who witness your symptoms
• Mental health provider letters detailing functional limitations

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My Claim Was Denied for an "Undocumented Pre-Existing Condition"

‍Essential Records:

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Report of Medical History (MEPS entrance exam), if available
• Rating Decision Letter
• C&P Exam DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire), if available

‍Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records proving the condition either didn't exist before service OR was significantly worsened by military service:

• Pre-service medical records showing no history of the condition
• Service medical records documenting first occurrence of symptoms and progression of symptoms
• Military incident reports related to your condition
• Buddy statements confirming you had no symptoms before service

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My Claim Was Denied for a "Documented Pre-Existing Condition"

‍Essential Records:

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Report of Medical History (MEPS entrance exam), if available
• Rating Decision Letter
• C&P Exam DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire), if available

Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records proving military service significantly worsened your condition beyond natural progression:

• Pre-service medical records showing baseline severity
• Service medical records documenting symptom increases
• Post-service medical records showing continued worsening
• Military incident reports that may have aggravated the condition

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My Claim Was Denied Due to a "Personality Disorder" or "Congenital Condition"

‍Essential Records:

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Report of Medical History (MEPS entrance exam), if available
• Rating Decision Letter
• C&P Exam DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire), if availabl

Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records challenging the diagnosis or proving you developed an additional service-connected condition:

• Second opinion from qualified mental health professionals
• Detailed psychiatric evaluations ruling out personality disorders
• Service medical records showing symptom onset during service
• Treatment records showing response to PTSD/depression therapy

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My Claim Was Denied for "No Diagnosis"

‍Essential Records:

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Rating Decision Letter
• C&P Exam DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire), if available

‍Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records establishing you have a diagnosable mental health condition:

• Current psychiatric evaluations with specific diagnoses
• Treatment records from mental health providers
• Psychological testing results
• Medication records for mental health conditions
• Hospitalization records for psychiatric treatment

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I Need to Prove Service Connection for My Primary Claim

‍Essential Records

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Rating Decision Letter
• C&P Exam DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire), if available

Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records linking your mental health condition to military service:

• Service medical records documenting relevant incidents or treatment
• Military incident reports, disciplinary actions, or performance issues
• Unit records or deployment documentation
• Buddy statements from service members who witnessed events

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My Secondary Claim Was Denied for Being "Pre-Existing"

‍Essential Records:

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Rating Decision Letters for both primary and secondary claims
• C&P Exam DBQs for both conditions, if available

‍Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records proving your service-connected disability caused or worsened your mental health condition:

• Medical  records showing timeline of when mental health symptoms began
• Treatment records linking mental health issues to your primary disability
• Documentation of how your primary condition impacts daily functioning

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My Secondary Claim Was Denied for "No Diagnosis"

‍Essential Records:

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Rating Decision Letters for both primary and secondary claims
• C&P Exam DBQs for both conditions, if available

Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records establishing a mental health diagnosis caused by your service-connected disability:

• Current psychiatric evaluations with specific diagnoses
• Treatment records showing mental health care following primary disability
• Documentation of functional impacts from both conditions

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I Need to Prove Connection for My Secondary Claim

‍Essential Records

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
• Rating Decision Letters for both primary and secondary claims
• C&P Exam DBQs for both conditions, if available

Additional Records That Strengthen Your Case:

Records proving your service-connected disability caused or significantly worsened your mental health condition:

• Medical timeline showing mental health symptoms developed after primary disability
• Treatment records documenting both conditions simultaneously
• Functional capacity evaluations showing cumulative impacts
• Provider letters explaining the connection between your disabilities