This episode provides a simple to follow guide on how to easily organize and strategically draft your personal statement for maximum impact. Including a Personal Statement in your VA Claim File ensures you deliver the exact message you want the claims processor to hear. Including the necessary information you list on your statement will help create a clear nexus on how your sustained disability affects your daily life.

Writing Preparation Tips:

1) You don’t have to sit down and complete in one sitting. Write a paragraph now, then maybe one in a couple of days and so on. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll be able to put together in a matter of two to three weeks! Do give yourself a deadline!

2) Before or while you’re in the process of putting your statement together, annotate important dates found in your medical record if you have them. If not, try to recall the closest time of the event.

3) Be detailed but straight to the Point. You certainly don’t want to give someone a 5 to 10 pager to read. They might find the information too confusing, therefore, the information you are trying to convey will get lost in the muck!

Now lets get into how to draft your statement. Now I understand that everyone has their own writing styles, these are just the steps I took, each time I drafted a statement.

Start your statement with the first paragraph describing your current living condition, such as family your supporting, what line of work you’re in, and a brief description of what you do at work that ties in to your disability.


a. Next paragraph Explain what you did in the military and how you sustained your injury/condition.

b. How it is currently affecting your daily life including how it possibly hinders your job performance, how you might not be able to enjoy physical activities and the social anxieties you developed from it.

c. What you're doing now to treat it. Physical Therapy, Self-Care, Medications, and the effects it brings you.

d. Finally wrap it up by asking to be evaluated fairly by means of your statement and other evidence you've included such as your military and civilian health records. Let them know you appreciate their time and don’t make the mistake of coming across as being entitled!

Bonus Tip of the Day

Write your statement separately, not on a Form 21- 4138. Write it in a sworn declaration format notarized if possible. It carries more evidentiary value instead of just another supplemental form.

Not in any way affiliated with Atty. Attig and his company (Veteran’s Law Blog), however, Veteran Disability Atty. Chris Attig. Has an extremely detailed blog about this topic. I suggest you check it out. He also offers the Sworn Declaration template for a very small fee.

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Disclaimer: Opinions and views shared on this channel are strictly author's suggestions and should not be considered legal advice or information officially released by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs.