A Statement in Support of Claim is a document used to establish proof for a veteran’s claim for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Formally known as VA Form 21-4138, this document will collect personal information from the veteran, such as his or her name, social security number and a statement that would support this claim for benefits. This information aids the Department assessing the legitimacy of the veteran's claim. Once all pertinent information has been received and reviewed, the Department will make a decision on the veteran’s claim.
This form will be used by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. A VA Form 21-4138 is known as a Statement in Support of Claim. This form will be completed by a veteran who needs to establish proof for their claim for VA benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs will then use this information in order to determine if the claim is legitimate and should be approved.
To fill out this form, the party will need to include their full name and social security number. Then, they can write in a statement that supports the request for a VA claim. This statement should include specific details to that the claim for benefits can be approved. Before the form is submitted for review, it should be signed by the individual providing the statement.
A VA Form 21-4138 is commonly used by a veteran to let the VA know important information when they have filed a claim for disability benefits or disability compensation. Some veterans write about all claims that they have pending before the VA on one form. Other veterans choose to write about just one claim on each form.
VA Form 21-4138 contains the following sections:
To complete a VA Form 21-4138, you need to provide the following information:
The VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been authorized under the Privacy Act of 1974 or Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 1.576 for routine uses (example: the collection of money owed to the United States, litigation in which the United States is a party or has an interest, and the administration of VA Programs and delivery of VA benefits) as identified in the VA system of records, 58VA21/22/28, Compensation, Pension, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Records - VA, published in the Federal Register.
The requested information is considered relevant and necessary to determine maximum benefits under the law. The responses you submit are considered confidential (38 U.S.C. 5701).
The VA needs this information to obtain evidence in support of your claim for benefits (38 U.S.C. § 501(a) and (b)). Title 38, United States Code, allows us to ask for this information. It should take 15 minutes to complete this form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless a valid OMB control number is displayed. Valid OMB control numbers can be located on the OMB Internet Page at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
