Upload a C-file and find STRs, C&P exams and VA decisions
Upload the whole C-file to Medrecords AI as PDF files, along with the veteran's private records. The app does not sort a C-file by VA document type for you. To find service records, VA treatment notes, exams and decisions, use the filters, the provider and facility lists, and keyword search on the Records tab.
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What a C-file holds
The C-file is the veteran's claims file at the VA. It can run to thousands of pages. It mixes medical and legal papers. Most C-files hold some of these:
- Service treatment records (STRs). The medical notes from the years in service.
- Personnel records. Papers about where and when the veteran served.
- VA treatment records. Notes from VA clinics and hospitals after service.
- C&P exams. The Compensation and Pension exam is the VA's own exam of a claimed condition.
- DBQs. A Disability Benefits Questionnaire is a form a doctor fills in about 1 condition.
- Private records. Notes and letters from doctors outside the VA.
- Claims and decisions. The claim forms, rating decisions and letters from the VA.
Read our guide on how to read a VA C-file for more on each part.
Upload the file
- Save the C-file as PDF. TIFF, GIF and HEIC files are not read, so save those as PDF or JPG.
- Add the private records. ZIP files unpack in your browser.
- Leave Remove duplicate pages on. C-files often hold the same page more than once.
See which files you can upload and how duplicate pages are removed. If more records come later, you can add them to the case.
Find each kind of record
There is no button that splits a C-file into STRs, exams and decisions. Use the tools below instead. They are free.
| To find | Try this |
|---|---|
| Service treatment records | Set Date From and Date To to the service dates |
| VA treatment notes | Filter by Facility and pick the VA clinic or hospital |
| C&P exams | Search with Keywords for "compensation and pension" in quotes, or for "C&P" with Exact |
| DBQs | Search for "DBQ" or "Disability Benefits Questionnaire" |
| Private records | Filter by Provider or Facility |
| Decisions and claim forms | Search for "rating decision" or "notice". Set Chronology Type to "Medical-Legal" so legal records stay in view |
All of these filters are in the Filter & Group Documents panel on the Records tab. See filter and group the documents index.
Group and mark what you find
- Use Group By and pick facility or provider. VA and private care then sit under their own headings.
- Make a flag for each kind of record, such as "STR", "C&P exam" or "Decision". Open Settings, then Stages and flags, and press New flag.
- As you find each record, add a note to it and pick the flag. Then filter by Note flag to bring them all back.
See add flags, highlights and notes.
Search tips for a C-file
- Use Keywords with Any to find 2 words at once, such as "tinnitus" and "hearing".
- Put a phrase in quotes, such as "at least as likely as not".
- Use Exact to find part of a word or a form number.
- Search reads the text of every page, not only the summaries.
Watch for these
- Poor scans. Older service records are often faint or handwritten. Check key facts against the page. See how accurate Medrecords AI is.
- Undated pages. Records with no date go last in the list.
- Fax dates. A date on a fax header can differ from the visit date.
Only VA-accredited attorneys, agents and Veterans Service Organizations may help prepare and present VA claims for a fee. Medrecords AI is a records tool for them and their staff.
Medrecords AI organizes and cites the records. Its output is not a medical or legal opinion and does not replace your expert.
Related help
- Review a VA disability claim in Medrecords AI
- Find missing service records and gaps
- Search your records with exact text or keywords
- Filter and group the documents index
Facts checked against the Medrecords AI app code on 2026-10-24.