Obtain evidence of alleged active duty service or training from MS records, the Disability,
Railroad, Alien and Military Service (DRAMS) file, feedback, or scouting. For information
on DRAMS, see MSOM QUERIES 005.003. For feedback and scouting guidelines, see RS 01404.205.
When needing evidence from MS records:
-
a.
obtain evidence from the claimant first, since this may eliminate the need to contact
other sources. (For instructions on obtaining evidence from the claimant, see RS 01701.025);
-
b.
check the Veterans Benefits Administration Query (VBAQ). Use the VBAQ as proof of
MS if it agrees with the claimant’s allegation and all other evidence. (For more information
on the VBAQ, see MSOM Queries 003.020);
-
c.
obtain evidence from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) if the
claimant’s evidence, the VBAQ, or scouting do not conclusively support the allegation.
(For more information on obtaining evidence from NARA, see RS 01701.036);
-
d.
evaluate all documents submitted. Two or more documents, although individually weak,
may support each other sufficiently to prove the veteran's allegation; and
-
e.
include in the file a brief written evaluation, showing the logic you used to arrive
at an MS determination.