Request or Transfer Records to/from Veterans Affairs

How to Transfer Your Records to VA

When you’re an active, Guard and Reserve service member, and you leave military service, the Department of Defense (DoD) sends some information to the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA). Depending on your health history and dates of service, the VA may access your DoD electronic health record.

Before you leave military service, request paper copies of your health record and your family members’ health records.
If you'd like another party to have access to your health records, please complete an DD Form 2870, Authorization for Disclosure of Medical or Dental Information.

If you're not eligible for VA health care, bring paper copies of your health record to your new provider. To get copies of your health record, you can:

View and download your health records on the Secure Patient Portal. This only applies to health records classified as sensitive.
Fill out and submit a Form SF 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.
Submit a request in-person at your nearest military hospital or clinic.

How to Request Your Records From VA

For your records that aren’t available through the Joint Electronic Health Record (joint HIE), you can request your VA records through:

Method	Follow these steps
In-person, mail, or fax	Fill out and submit a VA Form 10-5345a, Individuals’ Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information. Bring or send your request to your Release of Information Office at your VA Facility. Mailing addresses and fax numbers depend on your location.
Electronic VA records	You can review, print, save, download, and share your VA medical records and personal health information using VA Blue Button. Access your VA medical records online at My HealtheVet (MHV) Register your account by clicking on the green button near the top page. You must have a premium account to access portions of your VA Heath record. >>Learn more. Once you’re in your My HealtheVet premium account, select “Health Records”. On the Health Records page, you’ll options to access your VA medical records: VA Blue Button Report VA Health Summary VA Medical Images and Reports. Note: If your records aren’t available online, you’ll need to submit your request in-person, by mail, or by fax.

Method

Follow these steps

In-person, mail, or fax

Fill out and submit a VA Form 10-5345a, Individuals’ Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information.
Bring or send your request to your Release of Information Office at your VA Facility. Mailing addresses and fax numbers depend on your location.

Electronic VA records

You can review, print, save, download, and share your VA medical records and personal health information using VA Blue Button.
Access your VA medical records online at My HealtheVet (MHV)
- Register your account by clicking on the green button near the top page.
- You must have a premium account to access portions of your VA Heath record. >>Learn more.
Once you’re in your My HealtheVet premium account, select “Health Records”.
- On the Health Records page, you’ll options to access your VA medical records:
  - VA Blue Button Report
  - VA Health Summary
  - VA Medical Images and Reports.

Note: If your records aren’t available online, you’ll need to submit your request in-person, by mail, or by fax.

Last Updated 7/5/2023