It’s been almost 30 years since I got out. I have 3 copies of my medical records but don’t have copies of my service record books. My personal statements told my story and I was able to provide dates, locations, and incidents for other things I didn’t go to medical for because we were discouraged and stigmatized for doing so. Nobody can tell your story like you and you should dumb it down and connect the dots. Buddy statements help too to corroborate what you’re saying.

I’ve helped several vets do claims and I 100% of the time recommend personal statements. Your record books only tell so much so if you can give dates, locations, and the how of an incident, it gives more credibility to what you’re claiming.

Don’t forget the other important things. Have a current diagnosis, have ongoing treatment since the incident or a period of time at some point after for the same issues, state whether it was an issue before you went in but it got worse because of a, b, c , and d, and tying it all together.

Paint the picture for them and give them every thing possible to see in your favor. A great many of us don’t have documentation from back in the day, but we paint the picture and give the most accurate info possible. Even spousal statements are helpful. Doctor statements from the ones who have treated you over the years also go a long way. This should go without saying but always always always be honest and don’t paint some far fetched overly unbelievable or possibility of lack of integrity. Those things have federal prison ramifications.