Dear Sir,

     Welcome to the VA. Did you ask for these from the VA or the NPRC in St. Louis, Missouri? If you filed the SF180, I would ask them to search again and be specific as to what you don’t have (and need). You may have become another statistic in the machine. Which service were you in? I have seen Navy Vets’ records often left on board ship and thus filed in the ship’s file if she’s decommissioned. I’ve seen Army guy’s medrecs turn up at the last hospital duty station prior to discharge.  Then again, some Vet’s records just disappear into that circular file in the sky never to be seen again. Or, if the VA gets control of them, they may end up on the shredder room floor. You can also check with the R.O. and ask them for a complete copy of your C-File. Be advised that your claim, if you’ve already started one, will come to a screeching halt while they make a copy for you.