In a message dated 5/6/05 8:16:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time, barkupthetree@yahoo.com writes: Has anyone had to deal with the VA for this purpose? I live out of town but if it meant getting the pension file I'd make the drive. I was trying to get pension papers for a soldier who died in Washington, DC and was supposed to be buried in Arlington in Spanish American War section. My request to NARA came back stating the file existed but they did not have it. I was instructed to contact any VA office and ask them to request the file. I contacted the office closest to me (200 miles away) and it took a while but they were very helpful - got the file, copied the papers, and mailed them to me. Good luck