Lay Statements That Win

Lay Statements That Win - VA Claims Field Manual book cover

Write Personal Statements That Get Results

Written by veterans who've been through the claims gauntlet. No legal jargon. No fluff. Just the scripts, worksheets, and tactics that actually work.

Book 2 of 5 in the VA Claims Field Manual Series · Included with Kindle Unlimited · Kindle eBook ($9.99)

The definitive VA lay-statement playbook. Capture daily impact, mirror rating criteria, and give raters the language they need to approve your claim.

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Very clear, easy to follow guide that also provides detailed instructions and a template on how to draft an effective lay letter. This booklet was to the point and very helpful."

— mrsnowscat, Amazon Review

Deep Dive

What's Inside

Your lay statement is often the only place you get to tell the VA how your condition actually affects your life. This manual shows you exactly how to write statements that mirror rating criteria, capture daily functional impact, and give raters the language they need to check the right boxes.

Includes templates for veteran personal statements, buddy letters, and spouse/caregiver statements with fill-in-the-blank sections for common conditions.

Included Materials

What You'll Get

  • Fill-in templates for VA Form 21-10210 by condition
  • Impact language mapped directly to rating criteria
  • Scripts to request buddy letters and spouse statements
  • Spouse and caregiver statement examples
  • Before/after statement comparisons showing what works
  • Condition-specific phrase banks

Is This For You?

Who This Helps

  • Veterans with gaps in service medical records who need lay evidence to fill them
  • Claimants who struggle to articulate how symptoms affect daily functioning
  • Family members or battle buddies asked to write supporting statements
  • Anyone whose previous statements were dismissed as too vague or generic

Key Features

Highlights

  • Templates mapped directly to VA rating criteria language
  • Real examples showing weak vs strong statements
  • Scripts for asking buddies and family for letters
  • Condition-specific impact phrases ready to customize
  • Checklists ensuring statements cover required elements

The Complete Series

More in This Series

Free Resources

Related Resources

Start Here Pathfinder
Answer a few questions and get your personalized claim roadmap.
Free Claim Playbooks
Step-by-step guides for new claims, supplementals, and specific conditions.
Downloadable Templates
Print-ready lay statement templates, symptom logs, and nexus letter outlines.
VA Math Calculator
Model your combined rating and estimate monthly compensation.
C&P Exam Prep Guide
Free prep checklist covering what to bring, what to say, and common questions.
Lay Statement Guide
How to write VA Form 21-10210 statements that move the needle.

Common Questions

FAQ

How long should my lay statement be?
Aim for 1-2 pages. Raters review hundreds of claims—concise statements that hit rating criteria get noticed. This manual shows you exactly which details matter and which to skip. Quality beats quantity every time.
Can my spouse write a lay statement for me?
Absolutely. Spouse and caregiver statements are powerful evidence—they witness your daily struggles. Chapter 5 includes spouse statement templates that capture functional impact the VA needs to see. Our lay statement guide has additional examples.
What if I don't remember exact dates?
Use approximate timeframes: "In the summer of 2015" or "during my second deployment" works fine. What matters is describing the event and its impact on your life. The manual shows how to write credible statements even with memory gaps.
What makes a lay statement "weak" vs "strong"?
Weak statements are vague: "My back hurts a lot." Strong statements mirror rating criteria: "I cannot stand longer than 10 minutes, bend to tie my shoes, or lift more than 5 pounds without sharp pain." Chapter 3 has before/after comparisons showing exactly how to strengthen your language.