Many people in West Point don’t realize how much their case depends on documentation—until they try to compile it. In practice, the hardest missing pieces tend to be:
- Proof of where a person lived or worked during the relevant period
- Medical records that show when symptoms began and how diagnoses evolved
- Correspondence or treatment summaries that connect the illness to medical reasoning
Once time passes, retrieving older records can become slower and more expensive, and memories about dates and locations can become less precise. An early review helps you lock in what you already have and identify what you should request next.


