Does the military ask for mental health records?
Does the military ask for mental health records?
If you’re concerned about a possible mental health condition—or if you enter the armed forces with a past or present mental health condition—know that the armed forces do not require service members to disclose mental health problems to their chain of command.
How do I request my medical records from the military?
You can request your military records in any of these ways:
- Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
- Write a letter to the NPRC.
- Visit the NPRC in person.
- Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
- Hire an independent researcher.
Can doctors see your medical history?
Your health care providers have a right to see and share your records with anyone else to whom you’ve granted permission. For example, if your primary care doctor refers you to a specialist, you may be asked to sign a form that says he or she can share your records with that specialist.
What do you need to know about military health records?
Health records cover the outpatient, dental and mental health treatment that former members received while in military service. Health records include induction and separation physical examinations, as well as routine medical care (doctor/dental visits, lab tests, etc.) when the patient was not admitted to a hospital.
How to request medical records for a veteran?
Check the Records Location Table and submit your request to the appropriate address. Costs: Generally there is no charge for basic military personnel and health record information provided to veterans, next-of-kin and authorized representatives. If your request involves a service fee, you will be notified as soon as that determination is made.
Are there any veterans medical records in the NPRC?
Typically, these records are NOT filed with the health records but are generally retired to the NPRC by the facility which created them (see clinical records for more information). Medical records from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are also not included.
When did the army retire its medical records?
The Army and the Air Force retired its health records with the Official Military Personnel File, while the Department of the Navy (including the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) retired these files separately to the NPRC until the 1980s.
Check the Records Location Table and submit your request to the appropriate address. Costs: Generally there is no charge for basic military personnel and health record information provided to veterans, next-of-kin and authorized representatives. If your request involves a service fee, you will be notified as soon as that determination is made.
When does the military retire the health records?
In the past, all of the military services retired the individual health record, along with the personnel record, to the NPRC upon a service member’s separation from service.
Typically, these records are NOT filed with the health records but are generally retired to the NPRC by the facility which created them (see clinical records for more information). Medical records from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are also not included.
How to request someone else’s military records?
Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Write a letter to the NPRC. Send it to: How do I request someone else’s military records? Call our National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.