How to Write a VA Form 21-4138

VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim) is your chance to tell your story in your own words. A strong personal statement can make a real difference in your claim.

What Is Form 21-4138?

This form lets you provide a written statement to support your disability claim. You can use it to:

Describe how your condition started during service
Explain how symptoms affect your daily life now
Fill gaps in your medical records
Connect your current condition to your military service

Why It Matters

Medical records show diagnoses and treatments, but they often miss the human impact. Your statement tells the VA what those records cannot:

How symptoms affect your job, relationships, and daily tasks
What your bad days actually look like
How your condition has changed over time

Structure Your Statement

A good personal statement typically covers:

1. In-Service Experience

Describe when and how your condition started or was aggravated during service. Be specific about dates, locations, and events when possible.

2. Current Symptoms

List your symptoms and how severe they are. Describe frequency (daily, weekly) and intensity. Focus on your worst days, not your best.

3. Impact on Daily Life

Explain how your condition affects:

Work: Missed days, reduced performance, job loss
Relationships: Strain on family, social withdrawal
Daily activities: Difficulty with chores, hobbies, self-care
Sleep: Insomnia, nightmares, fatigue

Writing Tips

Be specific: Instead of "I have back pain," write "I cannot sit for more than 20 minutes without severe pain shooting down my left leg"
Use examples: "Last month, I missed three days of work because I could not get out of bed"
Describe your worst days: The VA rates based on your limitations, not your good days
Be honest: Exaggeration can hurt your credibility
Stay focused: One condition per statement works best

What to Avoid

Vague statements like "my condition is bad"
Medical jargon you do not fully understand
Anger or frustration directed at the VA
Requests for specific ratings or outcomes
Information about conditions not in your claim

Example Phrases

Strong statements use concrete language:

"I cannot lift more than 10 pounds without triggering a flare-up"
"I wake up 3-4 times per night due to pain"
"I have difficulty concentrating at work and have received two written warnings"
"I avoid social situations because of anxiety and have lost contact with most friends"

Length

There is no required length, but most effective statements are 1-3 pages. Say what needs to be said clearly and move on. Quality matters more than quantity.

How Valor Rating Can Help

Writing an effective personal statement from scratch can be overwhelming. Valor Rating's AI-powered personal statement tool helps you:

Answer guided questions: Instead of staring at a blank page, respond to specific prompts about your condition and experiences
Generate a draft: Our AI creates a structured, well-written draft based on your answers
Edit and refine: Review the draft and make changes until it accurately reflects your situation
Export for submission: Download your completed statement ready to include with your VA claim

The tool ensures your statement covers the key areas VA raters look for while keeping your authentic voice and experiences at the center.

Next Steps

After writing your statement, review it carefully. Consider having a trusted friend or family member read it. Make sure all dates and details are accurate before submitting.