Check the source. Keep the context.
These are the references used by our educational guides and assistant source library. Each entry shows when we reviewed it and the passages included in our snapshot. Open the original page for complete, current instructions.
A citation helps you check a statement; it does not guarantee an AI answer is correct. This collection cannot determine your eligibility, a deadline, or the best action for your individual claim.
Evidence depends on the claim type. VA describes separation records, service treatment records, medical evidence, and lay evidence. Lay evidence is written testimony from the veteran or someone with knowledge of the condition or events; no special training is required. It may be provided on blank paper, VA Form 21-10210, or VA Form 21-4138. For an original service-related claim, medical records or provider opinions commonly support the connection to service; requirements and presumptions vary.
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Lay evidence is written testimony by you or someone who knows about your condition or related events.
Anyone can provide lay evidence.
You or someone else can provide lay evidence in any of these ways:
Write and submit a statement about your situation on a blank piece of paper
Complete and submit a Lay or Witness Statement (also known as a “buddy statement”) (VA Form 21-10210)
Complete and submit a Statement in Support of Claim (VA Form 21-4138)
Usually we need medical records or medical opinions from health care providers to support this link. We may also accept lay evidence, like a buddy statement (VA Form 21-10210).
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VA Form 21-10210 is the Lay/Witness Statement form for a formal statement supporting your claim or another veteran or eligible family member’s claim. It is also called a buddy statement. VA offers a downloadable form and an online submission tool; follow the current official instructions.
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Use VA Form 21-10210 to submit a formal statement to support your VA claim—or the claim of another Veteran or eligible family member. People also sometimes call this statement a “buddy statement.”
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VA recognizes accredited VSO representatives, attorneys, and claims agents. Accredited VSO services on VA benefit claims are always free. Contact the representative to confirm availability and, for a VSO, which organization to name. VA explains appointment forms and signatures. Attorney and claims-agent fees have separate requirements.
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Keep in mind that the services an accredited VSO representative provides on your VA benefit claims are always free. But an accredited attorney or claims agent can charge you fees for their services.
After you find the accredited representative you’d like to appoint, you should contact them to ask if they’re available to help you.
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A C&P exam gathers information for a claim decision; it is not a treatment visit and the examiner does not decide the claim. Call the appointment-letter number to confirm time and place and discuss needed accommodations. Submit new non-VA medical records before the appointment through the VA process or an accredited representative; bringing records does not let the examiner submit them. VA says to arrive 15 minutes early and wear comfortable clothes. Contact the scheduler promptly about a scheduling conflict; follow the current notice and official exam guidance.
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You’ll need to confirm your appointment. Call the number on the exam letter to confirm the place and time. If you get a phone call, you can confirm the place and time on the call.
If you bring new records to your exam, your provider may review them. But your provider can’t submit your records for you.
When you confirm your appointment, you can request help with transportation or other accommodations you need.
You don’t need to bring anything to your exam. If you have any new non-VA medical records (like records from a recent surgery or illness), be sure to submit them before your appointment.
A claim exam isn’t like a normal medical exam. The provider won’t treat you for any illness or injury, give you referrals to other providers, or prescribe medicine. That’s because the purpose of the exam is to gather information that will help us make a decision on your claim.
Plan to arrive at your appointment 15 minutes early. If you’re late, your provider may cancel your exam.
Wear comfortable clothes so you can move freely during the exam.
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VA Form 21-4138 shares additional information when another VA form or process instructs you to use it, including claimed-disability details that do not fit on the original claim form. VA offers a downloadable PDF and online submission option. Check the current instructions; this website does not submit an official form.
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Use VA Form 21-4138 to share more information as instructed by another VA form or process.
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In the US, contact the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or using its official online chat. The service is available 24/7 and VA enrollment is not required. The official site lists separate overseas contact options.
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Dial 988 then Press 1
Text 838255
You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.
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Verify a representative’s VA accreditation before choosing them. VA explains accredited VSO, attorney, and claims-agent roles and the free VSO service. Its FAQ describes attorney/agent fee requirements, appointment and cancellation, and complaint routes. Individual fee, representation, or deadline questions require current official guidance and qualified help.
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Before choosing someone to help you with your claim, make sure they’re accredited with VA.
The services that an accredited VSO representative provides on your VA benefit claim are always free.
An accredited attorney or claims agent can charge you fees for their services only after all of these are true:
We made a decision on your initial claim, and
We received a fee agreement signed by both you and the accredited attorney or claims agent, and
We received your VA Form 21-22a appointing the accredited attorney or claims agent as your representative
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Request a DD214 and other military service records from the National Archives online, by mail, or by fax, using the current instructions. VA says it requests the DD214 when it receives a benefits application. The page distinguishes requests for your own records from someone else’s records.
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You can request a copy of your DD214 and other military service records from the National Archives.
If you’re submitting an application for VA benefits, we’ll request your DD214 for you when we receive your application. You don’t need to do this yourself through the National Archives.
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VA’s health checklist helps patients prepare questions and note health or life changes for a health care appointment.
Reference link only. No excerpt from this third-party-authored resource is included in the assistant’s evidence library.
Request VA medical records from your health facility’s medical records or Release of Information office. VA lists online secure messaging, mail, fax, and in-person options. Mail, fax, or in-person requests use VA Form 10-5345a; follow the current instructions. Military active-duty records and VBA compensation or benefits records use separate request processes.
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You can request copies of your VA medical records online, by mail, by fax, or in person.
To request your records, you’ll need to fill out an Individuals’ Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information (VA Form 10-5345a).
Submit your completed form to your VA health facility’s medical records office.
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VA’s public DBQs collect medical information from health care providers. Ask the provider to complete and submit the appropriate form; clinician information, signature, and date are required. VA does not pay or reimburse the cost of completing or submitting a private DBQ. Some questionnaires, including Medical Opinion, are not public. A private DBQ does not cancel a scheduled VA exam; follow the notice.
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Please have your health care provider fill out and submit the appropriate forms for your claimed conditions.
We do not pay or reimburse any expenses or costs incurred while completing and/or submitting DBQs.
All clinician information blocks at the bottom of the forms must be completed. Also, the clinician filling out the form must sign and date it.
The following DBQs are not available for public use. There are limitations outlined in federal regulations and/or specialized training needed to complete them.
Cold Injury Residuals
Former POW Protocol
General Medical – Compensation
General Medical – Pension
Gulf War General Medical Examination
Medical Opinion
Separation Health Assessment – Part B
Initial Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Initial Evaluation of Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury
Review Evaluation of Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury
In some instances, we may determine an additional disability examination is required to complete the claim. If an exam is scheduled, you must report for the examination.
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VA encourages private medical records for consideration with a benefits claim. Discuss the claimed conditions with your health care provider, obtain any required release, and submit records through the official process. Alternatively, VA describes paired Forms 21-4142 and 21-4142a for requesting private records. The page links to public DBQs and accredited claim assistance.
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If required, complete your healthcare provider’s release of information form, obtain your records, and submit with your claim
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VA describes eight disability-claim stages: claim received, initial review, evidence gathering, evidence review, rating, preparing decision letter, final review, and claim decided. A claim may return to evidence gathering when more evidence is needed or submitted. Check the official status and any notice for your own claim; the page is not a guaranteed timeline or a description of every claim type.
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If we need more evidence or you submit more evidence, your claim will go back to Step 3: Evidence gathering.
Claim received
Initial review
Evidence gathering
Evidence review
Rating
Preparing decision letter
Final review
Claim decided
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VA’s sign-in status tool covers certain claims, decision reviews, and appeals. It shows the review stage and available evidence details, and can download certain decision letters. Uploading evidence through this tool is for initial claims, not decision reviews or appeals. Documents sent by mail, fax, or in person, and privacy-restricted documents, may not be listed online. Missing online display alone does not establish that a record was lost.
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We won’t list these types of documents:
Documents you sent to us by mail or fax, or
Documents you brought to us in person, or
Documents we’ve restricted to protect your or someone else’s privacy
You can find out where your claim, decision review, or appeal is in our review process.
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VA Claim Assistance is independent of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Listing an official resource does not imply endorsement.