The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has changed how it develops benefit claims for veterans whose service records may have been destroyed in the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire. In an August 24 announcement, VA said a process started in July now sends both records-reconstruction forms together, saves the completed packet for later use and limits duplicate requests. The change matters most to older Army and Air Force veterans—and families helping them—who may have struggled to document service or medical events because the federal records no longer exist.
What changed in the VA claims process?
VA says affected veterans should now receive one comprehensive packet containing NA Form 13055, which asks about medical treatment, and NA Form 13075, which asks about military service history. The agency says the completed information will be retained and reused during later development of the claim.
Before the July change, VA said different claims processors could ask a veteran to complete the same forms more than once because previously submitted information was not always easy to locate. Under the revised process, processors should not request those forms again unless the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) specifically needs new or different information. VA also says it is organizing fire-related material so its staff can see the forms and records in one place.
| Claims-development step | Earlier problem described by VA | Process announced in August 2026 | What a veteran should do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial records questions | The two reconstruction forms could arrive through separate or repeated requests | Both forms are supplied in one packet | Complete a VA-requested packet carefully and keep a copy |
| Later claim development | Staff might not readily see that the information was already submitted | The packet is saved for reuse | Tell VA or an accredited representative when and how it was submitted |
| A new information need | A repeated request could look identical to an earlier one | A new request should be tied to something NPRC still needs | Read the request closely; do not ignore it merely because a form looks familiar |
This is a paperwork and internal-visibility change. It does not create a new benefit, change the legal eligibility rules or guarantee a favorable decision.
Who may have records affected by the 1973 fire?
The National Archives says the July 12, 1973 fire destroyed approximately 16 million to 18 million Official Military Personnel Files at the NPRC near St. Louis. Its affected-records table identifies two principal groups:
- Army personnel discharged from November 1, 1912 through January 1, 1960; and
- Air Force personnel discharged from September 25, 1947 through January 1, 1964 whose names come alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.
Those date bands describe record groups affected by the fire; they do not prove that a particular person’s file was destroyed. The National Archives says no complete list of lost files exists because there were no duplicate copies, microfilm copies or pre-fire index covering all of them. Some records were elsewhere—including documents loaned to VA—and NPRC later assembled auxiliary records that can help reconstruct basic service information.
Women veterans are part of the affected generations even though older military records and public histories often give less visibility to their service. A surviving spouse, adult child or caregiver may also be the person helping an older veteran understand a current VA request. The process change is therefore relevant beyond the person whose name appears on the claim.
What evidence can help when an official record is missing?
Missing service records do not mean a veteran should invent a date, diagnosis or event. They mean VA and NPRC may need to look for credible alternative evidence.
VA’s disability-claim guidance lists VA and private medical records as possible evidence. It also identifies supporting statements from family members, friends, clergy members, law-enforcement personnel or people who served with the veteran. In its August 24 announcement, VA said it can accept credible statements from the veteran or others with knowledge of an event when records are confirmed or reasonably believed to have been lost in the fire.
The safest approach is specific and factual: explain what happened, where and approximately when; identify the unit, facility or people involved when known; and distinguish personal memory from a document. Do not purchase “reconstructed records” from an unverified seller or share a Social Security number through an unsolicited website. The official veteran resource directory explains how to verify publishers before sharing sensitive information.
What should CSRA veterans and families do now?
No veteran needs to submit the two reconstruction forms merely because this article exists. The immediate step is to read any active VA request and determine whether it concerns a fire-related records search.
If VA asks for NA Forms 13055 or 13075, complete the requested information as accurately as possible, retain a copy and record the submission date and method. If the same form arrives again, compare the request rather than assuming it is a mistake: VA says NPRC may still need new or different information. A claimant can ask VA or an accredited representative to clarify what remains outstanding.
VA says an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative, accredited attorney or accredited claims agent can help with a claim or decision review. VA also states that an accredited VSO representative’s claim-assistance services are free. Use VA’s accreditation search rather than assuming that someone advertising “veteran claim help” is authorized.
For Georgia readers in Richmond or Columbia counties, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service lists an Augusta Veterans Field Service Office. South Carolina readers can begin with the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs or the VA accreditation directory. Office availability and appointment procedures can change, so verify them on the official page before traveling. Our career and transition guide also explains how to keep a practical record of applications and agency correspondence.
What if VA previously denied a claim because records were unavailable?
VA’s announcement tells veterans who believe fire-related missing records affected an earlier denial not to assume they are ineligible. But the correct next procedural step depends on the decision, its date, the issue claimed and any new evidence.
This guide cannot choose an appeal or review lane for an individual. Use VA’s official claim and decision-review information or ask a VA-accredited representative to review the actual decision. Be cautious with anyone who promises approval, demands a share of future benefits without explaining accreditation and fees, or tells you to add facts that are not true.
Does the new process guarantee a faster decision?
No. VA describes the change as a way to reduce repeated paperwork and make development more consistent, but it does not publish a guaranteed processing time for these cases.
Fire-related claims can still require searches of auxiliary records, clarification from a claimant and evaluation of other evidence. The practical improvement is narrower: information already supplied should be easier for processors to find and should not be requested again without a specific need from NPRC.
What happens next?
Veterans with an active fire-related claim should watch their official VA correspondence and claim status for requests. Families assisting an older veteran should keep submitted forms and notices together, use official VA contact paths and avoid sending sensitive records to anyone whose identity has not been verified.
VA’s August announcement is the current description of the revised process. Because implementation details can evolve, claimants should rely on the instructions in their own VA notice and the latest official guidance—not a saved copy of this article—for a filing decision.
About this update: The CSRA Women Veterans Resource Guide is an independent informational publisher, not VA or a claims representative. This article does not determine eligibility or select a review option for an individual claim.
Questions or corrections? Contact us.