A strong personal statement for VA disability can shape the outcome of your claim. The VA needs more than records – they need to see how your condition affects your daily life. Your words provide that context.
You might need to explain the severity of your symptoms, request a higher rating, or respond to a denial. In every case, your statement helps prove both the service connection and the real-world impact of your condition.
What Is a Personal Statement for VA Disability?
A personal statement – also called a VA disability lay statement or a statement in support of claim – lets you explain how your service-connected condition affects your daily life. You can submit it on VA Form 21-4138 or as a separate typed narrative. Unlike a VA buddy letter, which comes from someone else, this statement comes directly from you.
Medical records don’t show the full picture. Your statement fills in the gaps and explains how your condition affects your ability to work, sleep, maintain relationships, or function from day to day. That first-person detail helps the VA understand your reality and strengthens your claim.
What to Include in a VA Disability Personal Statement
You don’t need to sound formal or write like a lawyer. You just need to be clear, honest, and specific. A strong supporting statement for your VA claim should focus on four key areas:
When and How Your Condition Started
Briefly explain when your symptoms began and what caused them. If the issue started during service, describe what happened. If it got worse after service, but connects to a previous diagnosis or injury, explain that too.
This helps reinforce your VA disability service connection, especially if your medical records aren’t detailed or if you’re building a case based on secondary conditions.
How the Condition Has Changed Over Time
The VA wants to see if your condition has gotten worse, and how that progression affects your quality of life. Describe new symptoms, increasing limitations, or changes in treatment. If you’re writing for an increased VA rating, this part matters a lot.
Mention things like increased pain, more frequent flare-ups, or a greater need for medication or physical therapy.
How the Condition Affects Your Daily Life
This is where many veterans undersell their situation. Be honest about your struggles. Do you need help getting dressed? Can you no longer work full-time? Do you avoid social situations because of your symptoms?
This section serves as your disability impact statement, so explain how your condition interferes with daily routines, sleep, work, family life, and even hobbies. If your condition affects your mental health, include that too.
Why You’re Filing the Statement
Let the VA know whether you’re submitting this as part of a new claim, a VA disability appeal letter, or a request for an increase. Be direct and specific. For example:
“I am submitting this statement as part of my appeal for an increased rating for my service-connected knee injury. My condition has worsened since my last evaluation.”
Tips for Writing a Strong Statement
Most veterans feel uncomfortable when they talk about their own symptoms and limitations. Still, your words carry weight. Use these tips to write a clear, honest first-person narrative for your VA claim.
Use Plain Language
You don’t need to use medical terms or legal phrases. Just write like you speak. The VA wants to understand your experience, not read a textbook.
Be Specific, Not Vague
General statements like “I’m in pain every day” don’t give the VA much to work with. Instead, say:
“My back pain prevents me from standing for more than 15 minutes at a time. I’ve stopped grocery shopping because I can’t handle the walking and standing involved.”
Details like that help the reviewer understand your limitations.
Focus on Impact, Not Just Symptoms
Symptoms matter, but what really strengthens your statement is showing how those symptoms affect your daily life. Instead of saying you have anxiety, explain how it disrupts your sleep, makes it hard to focus, or keeps you from being in crowded spaces.
Keep It Focused
You don’t need to tell your life story. Stick to what’s relevant to your claim. The statement should be one to two pages – long enough to provide details, but short enough to keep the reader’s attention.
Include Dates When You Can
You don’t need exact dates, but general timelines help. Mention when symptoms started, when they worsened, or when you stopped working. This can support your VA claim documentation and corroborate the medical records already in your file.
Mention Treatments and Responses
Let the VA know what treatments you’ve tried and how effective – or ineffective – they’ve been. If your pain medication no longer helps, or if physical therapy stopped working, include that.
This supports the idea that your condition is persistent and may justify a rating increase.
A Note on VA Form 21-4138
Veterans often use VA Form 21-4138 to submit a statement in support of their claim. While this form remains accepted, it’s not always required, especially for appeals or supplemental claims. You can write your statement on a separate sheet and clearly label it with your name, Social Security number, and the purpose of the statement.
If you include attachments, like a VA buddy letter instead of a personal statement, keep each document labeled and organized. Clear formatting helps reviewers understand who wrote what and how each piece supports your case.
Why Personal Statements Matter
VA claims often fall short because medical records don’t tell the whole story. A diagnosis confirms your condition, but it doesn’t explain how that condition affects your ability to work, sleep, or get through daily life. That’s where your personal statement comes in.
Your words add weight to your file and help the VA understand your reality. Whether you’re appealing a denial, asking for a higher rating, or filing a new claim, your statement gives you the chance to tell your story in your own words.
Not Sure What to Say? Get Help Today
If you’re unsure what to include with your disability claim, start with a few veteran statement examples or speak with a VSO. You can also contact VetLaw. Our team knows how to shape your statement, tie it to your claim, and help you avoid common mistakes that slow the process down.
Some veterans hold back because they don’t want to sound like they’re complaining. But this isn’t about exaggeration – it’s about telling the truth. You live with the condition every day. Let the VA see that. If you need help, VetLaw is here to support you. Contact us today at (336) 355-8387 to get started with an initial consultation.
