Something similar happened to my neighbor, a WWII and Korean War vet. His records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. It took his former platoon leader, then a Colonel, to pull strings with contacts at the Pentagon to get a certificate of military service (not a DD 214) and a replacement Purple Heart award issued to him so the VA would recognize his status as a veteran.
Our son USMC(Infantry), three runs in the sandbox, was in a VA hospital. They told him ‘nothing more we cannot help with’... BS...BS...
As he was leaving a woman at a desk ask if he needed help?
Once more, what’s the difference?
What a difference it was!
She was with the VFW not the VA.
She had him fill out some forms and told him who to see.
All is now well!