How to Upload a C-File to VCH

This guide explains how to download a Veteran’s C-File from Caseflow eFolder Express and upload the zipped C-File to VCH for storage and optional AI C-File analysis.

Before you begin

Before accessing Caseflow eFolder Express, confirm that your firm has submitted a VA Form 21-22a power of attorney for the client through VCH and that the document status shows VBMS in VCH. The 21-22a must be accepted by VA before the C-File can be pulled in eFolder Express.

Important: Caseflow eFolder Express is only available while logged into the VA network with a PIV card and the proper credentials.

Step 1: Open eFolder Express

Go to https://cf.ds.va.gov/, enter your firm’s Station ID, and select Continue to PIV Login.

Caseflow eFolder Express station ID login screen with station ID redacted

Step 2: Search for the Veteran

Enter the Veteran ID or Social Security Number in the search field, then select Search.

eFolder Express search screen with Veteran ID redacted

Step 3: Start retrieving the eFolder

If the search is successful, the Veteran’s documents will populate in a table. To help confirm that all documents have loaded, refresh the page twice. Then select Start retrieving efolder.

eFolder Express document list with Veteran name and ID redacted

Step 4: Wait for retrieval to finish

eFolder Express will retrieve the files in the background. You can leave the page open while it works.

eFolder Express retrieving files progress screen with Veteran information redacted

Step 5: Download the eFolder

Once retrieval is complete, select Download efolder. Consider adding the date to the downloaded C-File filename so your firm can distinguish multiple pulls for the same Veteran over time.

eFolder Express download button after successful retrieval with Veteran information redacted

Step 6: Log in to VCH

Go to https://vaclaimhelper.com/ and select the green Login button at the top of the page.

Enter your VCH login credentials and select Login.

Step 7: Open the Veteran’s Documents tab

Open the Veteran’s case in VCH, then select the Documents tab. Select Upload Document.

VCH Documents tab with case information redacted

Step 8: Select the downloaded C-File ZIP

The C-File ZIP often downloads to the Downloads folder in the VA network environment. Select the zipped eFolder file downloaded from eFolder Express.

Windows file picker showing downloaded C-File ZIP with file names redacted

Step 9: Upload the ZIP to VCH

After selecting the ZIP file, set the document type as needed and select the blue Upload button.

VCH upload form with selected C-File filename redacted

Step 10: Allow time for the upload to complete

Please allow at least 10 minutes for large C-File uploads. When the upload is successful, the C-File will appear in the Documents tab.

VCH upload progress and successful document row with filename redacted

After the upload

Once the C-File ZIP appears in the Documents tab, you can the use VCH C-File analysis features for that C-File by clicking the green C-File AI Analysis button.