Tell Your Story. Strengthen Your VA Claim.
VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim) is your chance to speak directly to the VA. Whether you're detailing environmental exposures, writing a buddy letter, or explaining how a disability affects your life, our smart platform makes it error-free and effortless.
Takes ~10 minutes • Free PDF Download
What is VA-21-4138?
VA Form 21-4138, officially known as the Statement in Support of Claim, is a multi-purpose document used to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with personal, eyewitness, or supplementary information regarding a benefits claim.
Commonly Used For: "Buddy statements" from fellow service members, spouses describing daily impact, verifying PACT Act/burn pit exposures, or the veteran's own narrative of an injury.
Who Needs to File This?
- VeteransTo explain the timeline of an injury, symptoms, or environmental toxin exposure.
- Spouses & FamilyTo document changes in behavior, mobility, or daily living challenges.
- Fellow Service MembersTo provide corroborating "buddy letters" for events that lacked formal medical records.
How It Works
Complete your VA-21-4138 securely in four simple steps.
Open Form
Launch our secure editor.
Fill & Write
Add your info and statement.
Review & Sign
Digitally sign the declaration.
Download
Get your print-ready PDF.
Detailed Form Walkthrough
The VA-21-4138 is straightforward, but precision is critical to avoid delays in your claim processing.
Section I: Identification
This section connects the statement to the correct veteran's file. Even if you are a spouse writing a buddy letter, this section must contain the Veteran's information.
- Ensure the VA File Number or SSN is 100% accurate.
- Include current contact information so the VA can reach out if needed.
Section II: Remarks (Your Statement)
This is the core of the form. When writing your narrative:
- Be Specific: Mention dates, locations, and specific incidents (e.g., "During my deployment to Camp Fallujah in 2004...").
- Describe Symptoms, Not Diagnoses: Unless you are a doctor, describe what you experience (e.g., "I have severe headaches three times a week that force me to lie down in a dark room") rather than medical jargon.
- Stay on Topic: Keep the statement focused on the specific condition you are claiming.
Pro Tip: If your statement exceeds the space provided, you can attach additional pages, but ensure your name and VA File Number are at the top of every extra page.
Section III: Declaration & Signature
The person writing the statement must sign and date the form. By signing, you are certifying that the statements are true to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury. An unsigned form will be rejected by the VA.
What You'll Need
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about submitting your VA Statement in Support of Claim.
Yes! You can complete the VA-21-4138 digitally using our platform. Once finished, you can download a perfectly formatted PDF to upload directly to your VA.gov portal via the QuickSubmit tool or mail it to the VA Evidence Intake Center.
Errors on your form, such as an incorrect SSN or a missing signature, can cause the VA to reject the document, delaying your claim. Our platform helps prevent common omissions by guiding you through the required fields before you download.
Yes. A "buddy letter" or "buddy statement" is the informal name for eyewitness accounts written by friends, family, or fellow service members. The VA prefers these statements to be submitted on the official VA Form 21-4138.
Filling out the identification and signing takes less than 5 minutes. The time to write your actual statement depends on the complexity of your story. We recommend drafting your thoughts first, then pasting them into our secure form filler.