Personal Statement (Statement in Support of Claim)
Are your military records missing evidence or context?
If so, the VA provides you with two options:
Personal statements; and
Personal statements are for when you yourself want to write a statement in support of your own claim. This can include:
Pointing out where important evidence is in your records (page X of document named XX shows a diagnosis of Q);
Tying all your evidence together, so it makes more sense;
Explaining the progression of your symptoms over time;
Detailing how your conditions' severity affects your life, work, social life, etc;
Explaining the details of an event that occurred during your service.
However, if you know someone who can attest to something you were a part of, witness to, changes in your behavior, and/or the severity of your symptoms then having them write a buddy letter can be a useful piece of evidence for your claim.
Click HERE to learn more about buddy letters.
Writing Tips
Use the proper VA forms!
The VA has TWO different forms for personal statements:
Statement in Support of Claim VA Form 21-4138 - Your general use form. Basically, if you want to point things out in your records, to help ensure the rater does not miss anything. Or, you want to add some context/detail to your evidence that may otherwise not be known.
Supporting statements for service connection for PTSD VA Form 21-0781.
Keep it brief and to the point, remember BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front). The rater doesn't have time to get lost in a great story about the time Pvt. Reddit sneaked his girlfriend into the barracks in his rucksack. (But the people at r/Veterans do!)
Quantify (state numbers) when possible. Which sounds better?:
My headaches are so severe I have to lay down for most of the day; These headaches occur fairly frequently; OR
My headaches are so severe I have to lay down for most of the day; These headaches occur at least three times a week.
Unless you are a licensed physician in the relevant area of medicine, do NOT try to diagnosis yourself! Remember, stick to the facts! But if do have a buddy who does just so happen to be a licensed physician in the relevant area of medicine. Have them complete a Disability Benefit Questionnaires (DBQs) and/or an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO)/Nexus Letter and include it with your claim.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you for whatever reason do not want to use the VA form, ensure you write "I CERTIFY THAT I have completed this statement and that its information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief." Directly above where you sign and date the letter, in addition to providing your contact information.
What Should be in the Letter
It depends on want you are trying to do:
Help prove service connection:
Details about the in-service event that caused the injury or illness.
History of the condition from service to today.
Help prove severity of your disability:
What are your current symptoms? How does your disabilit(ies) interfere with your job, social life, things you can no longer do, etc.
NOTE:
PLEASE do NOT say why you avoided seeking medical care during or after service. Saying this does NOTHING to help your claim!
Examples
Here are a few examples to give you an idea how to write things.
Example 1 (tying evidence together)
What follows is a summary of back condition during and after service:
Around late January, 2003, I started having back pain after I slipped on some ice and landed on my back. This event was witnessed by Sgt. Buddy and his witness statement has been recorded on the provided VA Form 21-10210 uploaded as Sgt_Buddy_Statement.pdf.
On March 3rd, 2003, I was seen at Fox Medical Center on Redstone Arsenal for back pain. I was given a diagnosis of back strain.
On May 7th, 2004, I was seen at the Troop Medical Center at Camp Humphreys for back pain. I was again given a diagnosis of back strain.
On September 4th, 2005, I was seen at the Back Clinic Place by Dr. Spine. Dr. Spine had an MRI scan of my spine preformed and identified several bulging discs in my lower spine. Dr. Spine's report has been uploaded as SpineReport2005.pdf. In the event the VA requires additional medical evidence from Dr. Spine. I have included a completed and signed VA Form 21-4142/a uploaded as Spine21-4142.pdf.
From 2006 to now, I have received all my medical care through the State Place VAMC.
On September 1st, 2023, my primary care provider Dr. PCP completed a Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire. It has been uploaded as BackDBQ.pdf.
Since my military service to now I have experienced back issues. These back issues have greatly impacted my ability to bend forward due to the pain. During flair ups which happen nearly every day, I cannot bend my back at all without experiencing sharp pains down both of my legs.
NOTE:
The idea is to paint a picture that the rater and examiner can easily follow. This is very helpful if you have a lot of records; as it may be easy for things to be overlooked. By givings dates and locations, you are helping them - help you!
Example 2 (details of an event)
Sometime around April 2016 while I was getting gas right outside of Ft. Bragg, I was robbed at gunpoint. While I was unharmed physically, the event has stuck with me all these years. While I cannot find the record of the police report, I have included a copy of a counseling statement I had to get completed in order to get a new military ID card due to it being stolen with my wallet.
NOTE:
In order to help the VA locate and verify your statements of an event, it is important to be as specific as possible. The more details you provide that address the "when, where, and what" the better. HOWEVER, if you can provide evidence (award citation, newspaper article, police report, obituaries, etc.) of something happening with your statement all the better! (award citation, newspaper article, police report, obituaries, etc.)
Example 3 (symptom manifestation)
I separated from the Navy on July 5th, 1996. During my enlistment I was deployed to Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Around 2002 I started having sinus issues, seemingly for no reason. I started taking over-the-counter medication for my sinus issue for several years which helped somewhat.
It wasn't until 2004 that I brought the issue up to my doctor that I was first diagnosed with Sinusitis. Unfortunately, their office closed and I am unable to get those medical records.
So since 2002 to now I have had continuous sinus issues.
Example 4 (symptom manifestation - National Guard/Reserve)
I joined the Army National Guard in 2010. My MOS was cannon crewmember (artillery). I had no Hearing issues or Ringing in my ears till after my NTC rotation of 2012. During this rotation, I spent the better part of a week continually being surrounded by loud noises. Since that NTC rotation, I have noticed hearing issues as well as a continuous ringing in my ears which has not stopped since.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
To GREATLY assist your claim, submit any relevant orders sending you to NTC or other training activities.
For more information on filing claims as a National Guard/Reservist click HERE.
Example 5 (headache log)
I regularly experience severe prostrating Headaches that require me to take time off of work. What follows is a headache diary from the past 6 months:
October 2023:
November 2023:….
On a VA Form 21-10210 uploaded as Work_Statement.pdf is a statement from my current employer that testifies to the amount of days (11) I have missed over the past two months.
| Date | Severity |
Duration | Additional Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Prostrating | 3 hours | Came to work 4 hours late. |
| 11 | Prostrating | 3 hours | Came to work 4 hours late. |
| 13 | Prostrating | 2 days | Called off 2 days of work. |
| 18 | Prostrating | 1 day | Called off 1 day of work. |
| 30 | Prostrating | 1 day | Left work 4 hours early. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can upload evidence via this LINK.
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This is an issue with the program you are using to view the form; there is not an issue with the form itself. If you print out the form, the "X" will not print. If you are planning on doing the form purely digitally, then you should ensure the program to view the form is up-to-date. If it is, you may need to uninstall/reinstall the program.