CVA Military Service Records & Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What happened to a large number of Army and Air Force personnel records in 1973 that affected many veterans' ability to prove their service?
- They were digitized and misformatted
- A fire at the NPRC destroyed approximately 16–18 million records (Correct answer)
- They were classified and sealed
- They were transferred to a foreign repository
Correct answer: A fire at the NPRC destroyed approximately 16–18 million records
A 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed an estimated 16–18 million Army and Air Force personnel records, creating major documentation challenges for many veterans.
Question 2: What type of secondary evidence can veterans use to help reconstruct lost service records?
- Only C&P exam results
- Buddy statements, unit histories, morning reports, and other corroborating documents (Correct answer)
- Only official VA records
- Private medical records only
Correct answer: Buddy statements, unit histories, morning reports, and other corroborating documents
Veterans can submit buddy statements, unit histories, morning reports, orders, photographs, and other corroborating documents to help reconstruct service records destroyed or lost.
Question 3: Which board reviews applications to correct military records for Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans?
- Board of Veterans' Appeals
- Discharge Review Board
- Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) (Correct answer)
- Physical Evaluation Board
Correct answer: Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR)
Each military branch has a Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCMR/BCNR) that reviews applications to correct errors or injustices in official military records.
Question 4: Which board specifically reviews military discharges issued within the last 15 years and can upgrade them?
- Board for Correction of Military Records
- Discharge Review Board (DRB) (Correct answer)
- Board of Veterans' Appeals
- VA Regional Office
Correct answer: Discharge Review Board (DRB)
The Discharge Review Board (DRB) for each service branch reviews discharges issued within the past 15 years and may upgrade the discharge characterization or change the reason for separation.
Question 5: What does the 'Military Occupational Specialty' (MOS) on a DD Form 214 indicate?
- The veteran's rank at discharge
- The veteran's primary job or specialty code in the military (Correct answer)
- The number of years served
- The unit to which the veteran was assigned
Correct answer: The veteran's primary job or specialty code in the military
The Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or equivalent code identifies the veteran's primary military job, training, and specialty, which can be relevant to establishing occupational exposures in VA claims.
Question 6: What is a 'Statement of Service' and when is it used in VA claims?
- A written statement from the veteran about their service
- An official letter from the military branch confirming service details for veterans still on active duty or with missing DD 214 (Correct answer)
- A C&P examiner's summary of medical findings
- A buddy statement from a fellow service member
Correct answer: An official letter from the military branch confirming service details for veterans still on active duty or with missing DD 214
A Statement of Service is an official letter from the appropriate military branch confirming a veteran's service dates, character of service, and other details, often used when the DD 214 is unavailable or the veteran is still serving.
CVA Military Service Records & Documentation 2
What happened to a large number of Army and Air Force personnel records in 1973 that affected many veterans' ability to prove their service?