Service Treatment Records (STRs)
VA Terminology Definition
Plain English Definition
Medical records from when you were in the military. These document injuries, illnesses, and treatments during your service.
Why This Matters
STRs are critical evidence. They prove something happened during service. If your STRs document an injury, it's much easier to prove service connection.
Example
Your STRs show you went to sick call for back pain after a training accident in 2008. This documentation makes it much easier to service-connect your current back condition.