Hi nancyelizabeth, it's been a while but I finally am in the National Archives, wasn't here at all in the month of October. I enquired about Henry Masel & his widow Regina's pension file and got new information, new to me anyhow, let me know if you have tried this. The file may be with Veterans Administration. Apparently you were correct when you said that the absence of the file might be because his widow received benefits up to 1944. I'm hearing now that the Archives only received files that had closed as of a certain date, I think in the 1930's but a date definitely before 1944, but the the VA, which was the agency processing payments, kept all its files that were active as of that date which have never been transferred to NARA, either DC or St. Louis. I leave it up to you whether this is good news or bad, when I hear "Veterans Administration" I think "administrative mess" because of all the problems with current veterans. I have a phone number which looks like the main switchboard (I'm sure they are still using switchboards and operators, aren't you?) but I haven't had the heart to try it yet, will try later in the day. It's 800 827-1000 if you want to call yourself, but I'll try as well. Before you try, look up his V.A. pension payment card and have it on hand in case you actually get to speak to a person who knows anything about these records. Go to
www.familysearch.org. click the Search Icon (a magnifying glass over a screen) and then go to Browse the Collections. Where there is a box type in exactly this
United States Veterans Administration
and the rest of the file title should pop up, which is United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907 -1933 but I've never had to type in the whole thing. When you get a search box type in Henry Masel and you'll see results for two cards. These cards have a back and a front that you would never know about if you didn't already know before using the program.
Bring up the image of Henry Masel's card (either one) and you will see that he is on a half of a card, If you want to capture the image be sure you get his half. Then on the page with that image (where on the page depends on the computer or device you're using) you'll see Image number whatever and arrows on either side, click the arrow on the right and you'll see the reverse of that card which logs payments (this is a very confusing file payment-wise by the way but we don't care about that now, do we?). Remember if his card was at the bottom half of the front side, it will be at the bottom half of the reverse side. Just have this at hand in case they ask for dates (Henry died 10/16,1916, Regina died when 1944? -- look that up).
Note I don't see that XC # number on any of these cards. Have it at hand but I think it's an internal NARA number and the VA won't need it, so don't confuse them.
I'll try the same thing. I don't know where these documents would be located if they do have it. Find that out, if it's somewhere I can get to to save you some money, I will try.
Meanwhile I await Henry's Medical and Service records which I have requested.