Boost Your Claim with Detailed Lay Statements

| Discuss on Reddit

Write a detailed lay statement and strengthen your claim today. A lay statement is a personal account of your symptoms, day-to-day limitations, and how your service-connected condition affects your life. It's your chance to tell your story directly to the VA, so don't hold back. Use VA Form 21-4138, if you're sure, or confirm the form on VA.gov. Be specific about dates, incidents, and how your condition has progressed over time. Describe how it impacts your ability to work or perform daily tasks. Consistency with medical records is crucial, so cross-check your details before submission. This could mean the difference between a denied claim and the benefits you've earned. A clear, honest, detailed lay statement is your voice in the claims process—use it wisely.

Related Tips

More Resources

  • Free Templates — ready‑to‑copy letters, logs, and worksheets to support your claim.
  • Guides — step‑by‑step tutorials to build strong evidence and avoid common pitfalls.
  • FAQ — clear answers to the most frequent VA claim questions.

Get Daily VA Claim Tips

Want more like this? Sign up below using the email form in the footer to get a tip delivered every morning.