VBA VA Form 21-4138, known as the “Statement in Support of Claim,” is a versatile form utilized by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to provide veterans a way to communicate additional information that may influence their claims for benefits. This form is especially crucial when a veteran needs to submit new evidence or clarify existing evidence related to their claims for disability compensation, pension benefits, or other related services. Veterans, their dependents, or their representatives can use VA Form 21-4138 to submit written statements that explain or support specific aspects of their claims, such as detailing the circumstances surrounding a service-related injury or condition, or providing an account of how a disability affects their daily life.
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The latest template of the VA 21-4138 form is always available on the US Department of Veteran Affairs official website. You can download it, print it out, and fill it in by hand, or you can use our latest software developments and fill out the form online. It is much more convenient. Here are some recommendations and guidelines on filling out the 21-4138 VA Form.
The first section of the form is dedicated to the beneficiary’s personal information. Start filling it out by entering the full name of the subject veteran (first name, middle name, initial, and last name).
In the second box, provide the Social Security Number (SSN) of the subject veteran.
Next up, you need to provide the claim number (if assigned). This identification number will help you keep track of your claim and see what stage it is currently at. Usually, it is the veteran’s SSN, but sometimes the Department assigns an 8-digit number to the file.
In the following box, you must provide the accurate date of birth of the subject veteran. If you are filling out the form on someone’s behalf, you’d better clarify this information.
Enter the beneficiary’s Veteran Affairs Department service number, if any. If the subject veteran does not obtain a service number yer, just leave the box empty.
In this box, you need to indicate the daytime and nighttime contact numbers of the subject beneficiary. You may provide one contact number as well, and that would be perfectly enough.
This box is optional to fill out. You may leave the beneficiary’s E-mail address for prompt communication with the VA department if you want to.
Indicate the full physical address of the subject beneficiary. The Department’s specialists will use it to forward a written reply to the statement in support of the claim.
The second section of the form is a rather large one, but it truly is the most important part of your claim. You should put your statement in here and indicate all the reasons why you need help or benefits from the Veteran Affairs Department. Make sure that your statement is very well thought through and persuasive enough.
You must enter the veteran’s Social Security Number once again at the very top of the form’s second page.
The subject beneficiary must append a signature and the current date on the document at the bottom of the page (as shown below).
We strongly advise you to attach supporting documents to your claim if you happen to have any. Once you finish with the statement, double-check all the requested information, and sign the form, you must submit your application to the Department of Veteran Affairs office either by mail or by courier service.
The statement section is the most important part of your VA Form. Therefore, we have worked out some useful tips for you in compiling your statement.
Once you’ve completed your final statement draft, you can either handwrite it in the second section of the VA form or type it on the computer and print it out. Please note that handwriting statements are preferable.
