Reference the claims process mentioned by Poppa Gator: The VA regulations require that the benefit of the doubt goes to the veteran. Also the veteran does not need extensive paperwork to get admitted into the VA. Even the street people would know enough to have their records retrieved (unit in combat, year entered service, service number, location drafted from, first, second, or third duty station. etc.) The Serivce Representatives know how to access the various unit diaries, ships logs, promotion boards, medical treatment records from MASH type units, pay records from disbursement centers, etc. In short nobody is still on a secret mission... you is or you ain't, period.

And remember the 800 number I gave in the second post to this thread. It will put you in contact with assistence with a day or so.