Guidelines

What is the purpose of VA Form 21 4138?

Alex Dopico

What is the purpose of VA Form 21 4138?

A VA Form 21-4138 is commonly used by a veteran to let the VA know important information when they have filed a claim for disability benefits or disability compensation. Some veterans write about all claims that they have pending before the VA on one form.

What is a VA Buddy letter?

A buddy statement is a written statement from an individual who has knowledge about the Veteran’s sickness, disease, or injury. Buddy statements are often written by the Veteran’s spouse, family members, friends, or fellow service members.

How do you write a VA claim letter?

3 Steps For Writing Your Statement in Support of Claim

  1. Full name (of the veteran/beneficiary)
  2. Veteran’s social security number (SSN)
  3. VA file number.
  4. Date of birth.
  5. Veteran’s service number.
  6. Telephone number (including area code)
  7. Email address.
  8. Mailing address.

How do I write a VA Buddy statement?

When writing a buddy letter, these guidelines should be followed as much as possible: Try to keep the letter one page in length or shorter. Anyone who writes a buddy letter should include their contact information, their name and signature, the full name of the veteran that the letter is for, and the date.

How do I claim VA for tinnitus?

In applying for disability for tinnitus, veterans generally only need to give their statement of the condition along with connection to exposure to noise in service. There may be the request for a diagnosis of the condition as well. If you have questions about disability or an appeal, contact us at 800-544-9144.

What is Va lay evidence?

A lay statement is a testimony provided by a veteran or someone close to a veteran to help establish the impacts of service connected injuries. Many times, these statements detail how a service-connected disability affects the veteran. This evidence is meant to create a picture of your daily life.

How do you write a PTSD statement?

Write very clearly, or type on a computer if you can. Describe the traumatic events in the order that they happened. Tell where the event happened, what unit you were in at the time, and when it happened (as best you can). Provide as much detail as you can and also describe the feelings you had about what happened.

How do you prove PTSD is service connected?

Service connection for an injury or illness seems easy to prove; medical records documenting that the injury or illness occurred or was first treated while in service is enough to show service connection. Some are easy such as falling off a ladder and connecting that with later back problems.

Why did the VA deny my PTSD claim?

The most common reasons why the VA denies benefits for PTSD are: The VA denies the benefits claim on the grounds that the stressor is not verified and that the veteran did not provide enough information to verify the stressor. The VA cannot simply do its own research and then deny the claim.

Can the VA reduce a 100 permanent and total rating?

Permanent and Total Disability If VA rates you as permanently and totally disabled, your disability rating should not be reduced. Permanent and Total Disability means your service-connected condition is 100 percent disabling with no chance of improving.

Can a permanent and total disabled veteran work?

Veterans rated with a 100% Permanent and Total VA disability rating do not face any restrictions on work activity, unless the veteran was awarded this rating through Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). 100% schedular permanent and total ratings are protected from being reduced.

How do I get a 100% VA disability rating for PTSD?

TDIU and PTSD: Increasing a 70% PTSD Rating to 100% Another option to secure an increased rating is by filing for TDIU, or total disability based on individual unemployability. If a veteran can prove that their PTSD prevents them from working, they may qualify for TDIU.

War and military history

What is the purpose of VA form 21-4138?

Alex Dopico

What is the purpose of VA form 21-4138?

A VA Form 21-4138 is commonly used by a veteran to let the VA know important information when they have filed a claim for disability benefits or disability compensation. Some veterans write about all claims that they have pending before the VA on one form.

Where do I mail form 21-4138?

Department of Veterans Affairs
After completing the form, mail to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Evidence Intake Center, P.O. Box 4444, Janesville, WI, 53547-4444.

How do I submit my VA form 21-4138?

Starts here1:53Learn How to Fill the VA Form 21 4138 Statement In Support of ClaimYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clip56 second suggested clipOnce you have a completed draft you can either handwrite your explanation in the box or print itMoreOnce you have a completed draft you can either handwrite your explanation in the box or print it from a computer and attach it you must also attach any supporting documents. You may require.

How do you write a lay statement for a VA claim?

Tips for Writing a VA Lay Statement Next, be as accurate as possible in your statement. Always be truthful in telling your story. Do not exaggerate details in an attempt to get your claim approved. At the same time, do not downplay the effect that your disability has on your daily life.

Can I still use VA Form 21-4138?

1. What can VA Form 21-4138 be used for? The common and highly recommended use of VA Form 21-4138 is indicated by the form’s name: it can be used to write a statement in support of your claim for service connection or an increase in disability rating.

Who can fill out a VA Form 21-4138?

When filing a VA disability claim, former military service members can fill out the VA Form 21-4138, also known as the Statement in Support of Claim. This is a multi-purpose form that has been used by the VA for many years, on which veterans are able to write any information that they would like the VA to know.

Who can write a lay statement?

This can include spouses, family members, friends, coworkers, other service members, and the Veteran themselves. Those writing lay statements should explain what they have personally observed or witnessed about the Veteran’s condition(s), daily life, or the event that occurred.

How do I write a VA personal statement?

3 Steps For Writing Your Statement in Support of Claim

  1. Full name (of the veteran/beneficiary)
  2. Veteran’s social security number (SSN)
  3. VA file number.
  4. Date of birth.
  5. Veteran’s service number.
  6. Telephone number (including area code)
  7. Email address.
  8. Mailing address.

Do buddy letters help with VA claims?

A VA buddy letter, or lay statement, can be used to help support a veteran’s claim and provide insight into how a veteran’s condition affects their daily life.

Do buddy statements help VA claim?

A buddy letter can be important to the claims process because a supportive and credible statement can help ensure that the VA disability claim gets approved. It is possible that an event or injury that occurs during combat may never be recorded by a veteran’s military unit.

Does the VA verify buddy statements?

Buddy statements provide first-hand knowledge of a veteran’s condition, often filling in the gaps that missing medical records may leave. The VA can assess this lay evidence when awarding disability compensation or making a decision on an appeal.

How can a buddy statement help your VA claim?

Our VA disability compensation lawyers find that most veterans use buddy statements in physical claims to show how their disabilities worsened or exist from active duty service. If your service records were destroyed or lost, using VA disability benefits buddy statements for physical claims may be a good idea.

What is the VA claim process?

What is the VA Claim Process. Where do I file? The VA process for deciding claims has two levels. The first level is filed at the “agency of original jurisdiction.” These are the fifty-eight VA regional offices (ROs), or in some cases other VA field level offices located around the country.

How to submit VA Form 21 4138?

In the top box,you must provide the name,social security number,and the claims file number of the veteran who is making the claim.

  • This is the most important section of your VA Form 21-4138.
  • It is important that you write a well thought out statement that supports your claims.
  • Write a draft of your statement.
  • Ensure that your draft includes a very detailed explanation addressing all of the required additional information the Department of Veteran’s Affairs requires.
  • Once you have a completed draft,you can either handwrite your explanation in the box or print it from a computer and attach it.
  • Sign and date the VA Form 21-438 at the bottom of the page.
  • Supply your address and phone number contacts. If your statement will not fit in the box on the first page,you may continue your statement in the box on
  • Submit your VA Form 21-4138 to the Department of Veteran Affairs by mailing it to the address provided,ensuring that it gets to the office it needs to be

    • Can you cancel a VA claim?

    There is NO law, rule or regulation that allows a veteran to withdraw a claim before the VA Ratings Decision is issued. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it, it just means that there are no legal protections for you if something goes wrong.