VA Form 21-4138: What It Is And How To Use It (2026)

What VA Form 21-4138 Is

The VA Form 21-4138 is the official Statement of Support of Claim document that Veterans Affairs issues. Veterans, caregivers or family members can use it to submit additional evidence, written personal statements and “buddy letters” to add further context to a VA disability claim.

When to Use the Form

The form allows you to provide extra details when filing a disability, pension or accrued benefits claim. You can include information that the original form might not have had room for.

For example, it can be used to explain how a medical condition impacts your daily life, or it can be used as a VA buddy letter, which is a statement from fellow service members or other witnesses who can attest to what the veteran suffered.

How to Fill Out Each Section

The first section will require providing your veteran’s identification information, including your name, Social Security number, VA file number, service number, date of birth and contact information.

The next section involves the personal statement, which requires explaining the medical condition or injury that you suffered, followed by a chronology of how the condition progressed and the impact it has had on your life. You must then sign and date the document.

Writing a Strong Personal Statement

Writing a strong personal statement requires clearly describing the illness or injury you sustained, when it began, your day-to-day symptoms and how it impacts your daily life. Be brief but provide accurate details regarding when, where and under what circumstances you suffered the injury or illness. Ensure that your statement matches your medical and service records.

Using Buddy Letters as Support

Buddy letters, or lay witness statement forms, provide firsthand, eyewitness accounts that help to address gaps in military medical records. They corroborate what occurred and help establish timelines, while also demonstrating the severity of the condition.

Form 21-4138 vs. Form 21-10210

Both of these forms allow you to submit facts when filing a VA claim. Form 21-4138 is usually used by the claimant for their own claim, while Form 21-10210 allows witnesses to present third-party statements.

How to Submit the Form

You can submit Form 21-4138 online through your VA account portal or using AccessVA's QuickSubmit tool. You will typically need to download, fill out and then upload the form.

It’s also possible to submit the form via mail. You can send it to the Department of Veterans Affairs Evidence Intake Center. Additionally, an accredited Veteran’s Service Officer can help you with submitting your form.