In every conflict, the records of the chaos of war become lost or destroyed.  This is as expected as multiple versions of success and failure in the field.  However, for veterans, the loss of records have the opportunity to damage their claims for veteran benefits. Will they be able to prove to VA that a unit event took place or a hostile action was encountered.

ProPublica and the Seattle Times uncovered assessments by the Army’s Center of Military History [4] showing that scores of units lacked adequate records. Others had wiped them off computer hard drives amid confusion about whether classified materials could be transferred home.

The missing records do not include personnel files and medical records, which are stored separately from the field records that detail day-to-day activities.

VA should not punish the veteran in these situations.

http://www.propublica.org/article/army-says-war-records-gap-is-real-launches-recovery-effort

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