Getting lost records | Stateside Legal

Remembering Jim

Jim Strickland was a Vietnam era Army veteran and nationally recognized expert on VA disability benefits who was also editor and webmaster of the popular VA Watchdog website. Jim wrote extensively about VA and Social Security disability benefits. Before his recent passing, Jim was kind enough to answer questions from visitors on StatesideLegal.org here in Jim's Mailbag. This page is dedicated to Jim and to his efforts to assist every veteran who called upon him.

About Jim's Mailbag

Jim's Mailbag is a regular column where veterans, servicemembers, and family members can find answers about their VA and Social Security disability benefits. Although we are not accepting new questions at this time, you can browse all of the previous Q&As and search Jim's Mailbag for helpful answers to your specific VA issue.

July 12, 2011

Jim,

I have a friend that has an other than honorable discharge and he wants To gets va benefits – how does he start the process. He also lost his dd214

Reply:

Start by getting the 214 here http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Once he has that in hand he should apply as usual for benefits here http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/compensation/

Guys with OTH are not always eligible depending on circumstances. This is particularly true if there are multiple periods of enlistment. It's best to apply, see what VA has to say and then appeal if that seems reasonable.