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Your VA Statement in Support of Claim (Form 21-4138), Explained
Also called: VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, 21-4138
Last reviewed 2026-07-16
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What this notice usually means
VA Form 21-4138 lets you share more information. You use it for a claim, or to add to another VA form you already started. Veterans use it to add family or financial details for a pension, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or accrued benefits claim. You can also use it to add details about a claimed disability that did not fit on the original form. It adds to a claim already in process. It is not how you ask VA to review a decision again. Use VA Form 20-0995, the Supplemental Claim, to ask for a new review with new evidence.
See every source line for this notice
“Use VA Form 21-4138 to share more information as instructed by another VA form or process.”
“To share more details about your family situation or finances for applications or claims related to pension, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or accrued benefits”
“To share more details about claimed disabilities or other issues in support of your claim that can’t fit on the original claim form”
“You can submit your statement in support of claim online instead of filling out and sending us the paper form.”
“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.”
What to do now
- 1
Check which claim or form this statement supports
Form 21-4138 adds information to an existing claim or another VA form. Know which claim number or form it relates to before you write it.
- 2
Write your statement clearly and specifically
Cover the exact details VA asked for. This can include family facts, financial facts, or more details about a claimed disability.
- 3
Submit online or with your paper form
You can submit your statement online instead of mailing the paper form.
- 4
Use a different form if you are appealing a decision
You may disagree with a VA decision. If you have new evidence, use VA Form 20-0995, the Supplemental Claim, instead.
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Sources
- VA.gov (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)Retrieved 2026-07-13
Last reviewed 2026-07-16
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