Attorney Tips for Crafting Winning VA Statements in Support of Your Claim

Here’s a few more to consider:

• Fills in the Details: Service records may note an incident but lack the depth of your experience. Your statement allows you to vividly depict the event, its effects on you, and the immediate aftermath, offering a personal perspective that other documents can’t. 
• Shows the Impact: Explain how your disability impacts your life beyond just medical symptoms. Discuss day-to-day life, changes in your routines, challenges in physical and mental wellbeing, how it impacts your social relationships, etc. It’s important to really emphasize to the VA how your life has been affected.
• Pre and Post-Service Comparison: Highlight the difference between your condition before and after service. Accounts from those who knew you before can help establish this type of contrast, showing how the service-related event changed your life.
• Personal Touch: Your story, told in your own words, adds a human element to your claim. Share your journey, your struggles and your resilience. Personal narratives can make your case more relatable and understandable to those reviewing it.

Be clear and concise. 

Start with a clear purpose for your statement. Are you discussing one specific claim or multiple? Focus on making your statement clear and to the point.

Example: “I am submitting this statement to support my claim for service connection for a knee injury sustained during combat operations in Afghanistan in March 2015. This injury has significantly reduced my mobility and continues to affect my daily life.”

Include critical information. 

Whether it’s for the purposes of service-connection or an increased rating, tailor your statement to address the claim you’re filing. Describe events, symptoms and impacts with as much detail as possible, but avoid unnecessary information.

Example: “During a patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on March 22, 2015, I was injured when our vehicle was struck by an IED. The blast resulted in severe trauma to my right knee, necessitating multiple surgeries. Despite medical interventions, I experience chronic pain and instability that impacts my ability to work and engage in physical activities with my children.”

Use specific examples.  

Concrete, specific examples of how your disability impacts your life can be powerful. Mention dates, locations and any changes to your personal or professional life.

Example: “Since my knee injury in March 2015, I have faced daily challenges. For instance, on April 10, 2021, I was unable to climb the stairs at my son’s school for his award ceremony, a moment I missed and cannot get back. This is one of many instances where my injury has limited my participation in family and social events.”

Add testimonials. 

Statements from your family, friends and fellow service-members can reinforce your claim. These testimonials can provide additional perspectives on your condition and its effects.

Example: Testimonial from Spouse: “Since my partner returned from service with a knee injury, I’ve seen a drastic change in their ability to engage in everyday activities. Simple tasks like grocery shopping or playing with our kids in the yard are now difficult and often painful for them.”

Review and Revise.

Before submitting, review your statement for clarity and completeness. Consider having someone else read it to ensure it’s understandable and covers all the necessary points.

Example before review: “I got hurt in service, and it’s bad. I can’t do things like before, and it’s hard on my family.”

Example after review: “I sustained a significant injury during my service, which has profoundly impacted my quality of life. Activities I once took for granted, such as walking without pain and participating in family outings, have become challenging, deeply affecting my family’s well-being.”