Here are a list of the types of evidence we can develop to support your claims.

Your Statements [add icon/vector]

Personal statements are an invaluable component of your VA disability claim. They offer you the opportunity to tell your story in your own words, providing context and insight into how your military service has affected your life and health.

While medical records, service documents, and medical journal articles provide objective data and facts, your personal statement and the statements of others (buddy statements) provide a subjective, first-hand account of your experiences and provides a deeper understanding of your condition and its impact on your daily activities, personal relationships, and overall quality of life. Here are some key areas to focus on when drafting your personal statement:

  1. In-Service Event: Detail any specific incidents or conditions during your service that you believe may have contributed to your disability.
  2. Symptoms: Describe the symptoms you experience, how often they occur, and how they affect your daily life. Be as specific as possible.
  3. Progression: If your symptoms or condition have worsened over time, make sure to include this in your statement.
  4. Medical Treatment: Document your medical treatments, including visits to doctors or specialists, medications you've been prescribed, and any procedures or surgeries you've undergone.
  5. Impact on Quality of Life: Explain how your disability affects your ability to work, participate in social activities, and carry out daily tasks.

Remember, your personal statement should complement the rest of your evidence, reinforcing the facts and providing a personal perspective that only you can offer. The VA needs to understand not only the medical and factual aspects of your case but also the human aspect—how your service-connected disability affects you personally.

Buddy Statements [add icon/vector]

These are statements from friends, family, or fellow service members who can attest to your condition and how it has impacted you. They can also validate any events or injuries during your service that may have led to your disability. You can forward this link to your close friends and family members so they can scan the QR code to answer a few questions to put together a statement for your case. [insert QR code/link to buddy statement]

Medical Treatment Records [add icon/vector]

When filing a VA disability claim, it is crucial to provide your representative with a complete list of all the places where you've treated since you were discharged from service. This is important for several reasons:

  1. Medical History: The more complete your medical history, the better the VA can understand the full scope of your injuries or illnesses.
  2. Severity and Duration of Condition: By providing a complete history, you can help establish the severity and duration of your condition. This can affect your disability rating and, consequently, your benefits.
  3. Connection to Military Service: Documentation of your treatments can provide evidence that your disability is service-connected. For instance, if you began receiving treatment for a condition shortly after your military service, this could help establish that your service caused or aggravated the condition.