Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about VA Record Ready's medical record organization service.
About Our Service
What is VA Record Ready?
VA Record Ready is a medical record organization service designed specifically for veterans filing VA disability claims. We take your medical records—often hundreds or thousands of pages—and organize them by body system, creating clear summaries and an evidence index. This makes it easier for VA raters, VSOs, or attorneys to quickly find relevant medical evidence in your records.
Is this service affiliated with the VA?
No. VA Record Ready is an independent, veteran-founded company. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We are a private service that helps veterans organize their medical documentation.
Who founded VA Record Ready?
VA Record Ready was founded by Rob Lindsey, a former Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. After navigating the VA claims process himself, he recognized the need for better medical record organization and created this service to help fellow veterans.
Do you provide claims advice or tell me what rating I'll get?
No. We strictly organize and summarize medical evidence. We do not provide claims advice, predict outcomes, recommend what conditions to claim, or tell you what rating to expect. For claims strategy, work with a VSO, VA-accredited claims agent, or VA-accredited attorney.
How It Works
What do I receive when I use your service?
You receive a complete organization package including: body system summary documents for each relevant condition category, a chronological timeline of your medical history, an evidence index with page number references, and your records organized into logical digital folders. Everything is delivered through your secure account in downloadable format.
How long does the process take?
Typical processing time is 5-7 business days for standard record volumes (under 500 pages). Larger or more complex records may take longer. You'll receive status updates throughout the process and can check your account at any time.
What format should my records be in?
We accept PDF files, which is the most common format for medical records. If you have paper records, we recommend scanning them to PDF before uploading. If your records are in another digital format, contact us and we can discuss options.
What records should I submit?
Submit all medical records relevant to your claimed conditions. This typically includes: service treatment records (STRs), VA medical center records (available via Blue Button), private medical records from civilian providers, and any specialist evaluations or test results. The more complete your records, the more thorough our organization can be.
How do I get my VA medical records?
VA medical records are available through My HealtheVet's Blue Button feature. Log in to My HealtheVet, go to the Blue Button section, and you can download your complete VA health records as a PDF. We provide detailed instructions for this process when you create your account.
How do I get my service treatment records?
Service treatment records can be requested through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) or accessed through your eBenefits/VA.gov account if they've been digitized. Request times vary. We recommend starting this request early as it can take several weeks or months.
Security and Privacy
How is my medical information protected?
We follow HIPAA-aligned practices for handling protected health information. All uploads are encrypted in transit using TLS. Files are encrypted at rest. Access is strictly limited to authorized personnel working on your records. We never share your information with third parties for marketing or other purposes.
Do you store my records permanently?
Your records are stored securely in your account for as long as you maintain an active account. You can download your organized files at any time. You also have the option to request deletion of your records from our system.
Who sees my medical records?
Only authorized team members involved in organizing your specific records have access. We do not use your records for any purpose other than providing you with the organization service you requested.
Pricing and Payment
How much does this cost?
Pricing is based on your record volume. We're currently in pre-launch and will announce specific pricing tiers when we go live. Join our waitlist to receive early access and special launch pricing.
Why isn't this free like VSO services?
VSOs provide claims advice and representation—a different service than what we offer. VSOs typically don't have the resources to thoroughly organize hundreds of pages of medical records. Our service is specialized record organization that complements what VSOs do. Many veterans use both: our organization service plus free VSO representation.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes. If we're unable to deliver the promised organization package for any reason, you'll receive a full refund. Detailed terms will be provided at launch.
Results and Expectations
Will this guarantee my VA claim is approved?
No. We cannot guarantee any particular outcome. The VA decides claims based on the evidence in your records and their rating criteria. We organize and present your evidence clearly, but the facts in your records remain the same. Organization makes evidence easier to find—it doesn't change what the evidence says.
Will this get me a higher rating?
We make no claims about ratings. Your rating is determined by the VA based on your documented conditions and the rating schedule criteria. What we do is ensure that whatever evidence exists in your records is organized and easy to locate. This doesn't change your evidence—it presents it more clearly.
Can I use the organized records for appeals?
Yes. Organized evidence summaries can be helpful at any stage of the claims process, including appeals. When appealing a decision, having clearly organized evidence can help you and your representative identify what documentation supports your case.
What if my records don't support my claimed conditions?
We organize what's in your records. If your records don't contain evidence of certain conditions, our summaries will reflect that. We report what we find—we don't create evidence that doesn't exist. This is actually valuable information: knowing what's documented (and what isn't) helps you and your representative make informed decisions.
Working With Others
Can I share the organized records with my VSO?
Absolutely. Our organized packages are designed to be shared with VSOs, claims agents, attorneys, or anyone helping with your claim. The clear organization makes it easier for them to review your case.
Should I use this instead of a VSO?
We recommend using both. VSOs provide free claims advice and representation—valuable services we don't offer. We provide detailed record organization—something VSOs typically don't have time to do. The two services complement each other well.
Do you work with VA-accredited attorneys?
We don't have formal partnerships, but veterans working with attorneys frequently use our service. Attorneys facing the same challenge—making sense of voluminous records—appreciate receiving organized evidence packages from their clients.
Still Have Questions?
If your question wasn't answered here, feel free to reach out to us at contact@varecordready.com. We're happy to help.
Ready to Get Started?
Join the waitlist to be notified when VA Record Ready launches.