What it is
DD Form 214 is a Department of Defense form, not a VA form, issued by your branch when you separate or retire from active duty. It is governed by DoD Instruction 1336.01. It lists your service dates, rank, awards, military occupation, reason for separation, and character of service. VA treats it as the primary proof that you served and that your discharge is qualifying.
When you use it
You attach (or reference) a DD-214 on virtually every VA claim: original disability claim, increases, dependency, education, home loan, and burial. If VA cannot verify your service, your claim stalls before the medical evidence is even reviewed.
What to gather before you fill it out (how to request a copy)
You do not fill out a DD-214, your branch issued it on separation. If yours is missing:
- Post-2002 separations: log into milConnect (milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil) and download it from the DoD side.
- Any era: request through the National Archives' eVetRecs tool (vetrecs.archives.gov), free, ID.me required. NPRC is in St. Louis; standard processing runs 90+ days.
- No internet: mail or fax Standard Form 180 to NPRC, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138, fax 314-801-9195.
- If you only have an application open with VA, VA will request it for you, but having your own copy is faster.
How to submit
Upload through VA.gov when you file your claim (eBenefits / VA.gov claim flow attaches it directly to your file). For paper claims, mail to the Janesville Evidence Intake Center per the form instructions.
Common pitfalls
- Submitting the Member-1 (short) copy. Member-1 omits the character of service and narrative reason for separation. VA needs the Member-4 (long) copy. Always request Member-4.
- Army or Air Force service in the 1912–1964 window: the July 12, 1973 NPRC fire destroyed roughly 80% of Army records (Nov 1912–Jan 1960) and 75% of Air Force records (Sep 1947–Jan 1964, names after Hubbard, James E.). NPRC reconstructs service from pay vouchers, VA claims files, and Selective Service records, start early.
- Errors on the DD-214 (wrong dates, missing awards, wrong characterization): file DD Form 149 with the Board for Correction of Military Records.
- Seeking a discharge upgrade (OTH, bad conduct): file DD Form 293 with the Discharge Review Board.
Related forms
VA Form 21-526EZ (disability claim), Standard Form 180 (records request), DD Form 149 (record correction), DD Form 293 (discharge upgrade).