If it appears the fire at NPRC might have destroyed medical records pertinent b. Requesting Reconstruction to a pending claim, of a Veteran’s Records submit a request for the service treatment records (STRs) to Veteran’s NPRC through the Personnel Information Exchange System (PIES), using request code M01, and ask the claimant to complete NA Form 13055, Request for Information Needed to Reconstruct and Medical Data, return the form within 30 days. If NPRC responds to the request by stating that fire destroyed the Rationale: records, the regional office (RO) uses information from the Veteran’s completed to submit a request to NPRC through PIES for NA Form 13055 reconstruction of the records, using request code M05. Veteran’s When asking a claimant to complete avoid Important: NA Form 13055, giving the impression the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is less likely to grant his/her claim because the fire at NPRC destroyed his/her records. If the information NPRC requires to process a request under Exception: request code M05 is already of record in the claims folder, do not Veteran’s delay in submitting the request. Under these circumstances, do not submit a PIES request using request code M01, or send to the claimant for completion. NA Form 13055 For more information about References: PIES and the request codes associated with it, see the , and evidence VA may use to substitute for missing STRs, see . Continued on next page , Continued Follow the instructions in the table below if a claimant c. Action to Take When a Claimant Fails returns an incomplete or NA Form 13055, to Return a fails to return NA Form 13055. Completed NA Form 13055 If ... Then ...
b. Requesting Reconstruction of a Veteran’s Records If it appears the fire at NPRC might have destroyed medical records pertinent to a pending claim, submit a request for the Veteran’s service treatment records (STRs) to NPRC through the Personnel Information Exchange System (PIES), using request code M01, and ask the claimant to complete NA Form 13055, Request for Information Needed to Reconstruct Medical Data, and return the form within 30 days. Rationale: If NPRC responds to the request by stating that fire destroyed the Veteran’s records, the regional office (RO) uses information from the completed NA Form 13055 to submit a request to NPRC through PIES for reconstruction of the Veteran’s records, using request code M05. Important: When asking a claimant to complete NA Form 13055, avoid giving the impression the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is less likely to grant his/her claim because the fire at NPRC destroyed his/her records. Exception: If the information NPRC requires to process a request under request code M05 is already of record in the Veteran’s claims folder, do not delay in submitting the request. Under these circumstances, do not submit a PIES request using request code M01, or send NA Form 13055 to the claimant for completion. References: For more information about PIES and the request codes associated with it, see the , and evidence VA may use to substitute for missing STRs, see . Continued on next page , Continued c. Action to Take When a Claimant Fails to Return a Completed NA Form 13055 Follow the instructions in the table below if a claimant returns an incomplete NA Form 13055, or fails to return NA Form 13055. If ... Then ...