During the development of your claim, the VA will request certain evidence from you while obtaining other evidence on its own. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare and respond quickly.
The VA will typically ask you to provide or authorize access to private medical records from non-VA providers. This is done through VA Form 21-4142 (Authorization to Disclose Information) and VA Form 21-4142a (General Release for Medical Provider Information). You fill out these forms with the provider name, address, and the dates of treatment, and the VA sends the forms to the provider requesting records.
The VA may ask you to provide a personal statement describing how your condition is related to service, when symptoms began, and how the condition affects your daily life. This is your opportunity to fill gaps that medical records might not cover — like describing the in-service incident that caused your condition or explaining how symptoms have progressed over time.
The VA may ask for buddy statements — written statements from people who can corroborate your account. These might be fellow service members who witnessed an injury, family members who observed your condition over time, or coworkers who can describe how your condition affects your ability to work.
The VA may request employment records or statements from employers if your claim involves unemployability or the impact of your condition on work. This is particularly relevant for TDIU claims.
What the VA generally obtains without your assistance includes your service treatment records, VA medical records from any VA facility where you received treatment, Social Security Administration records if you have applied for SSA disability benefits, and any federal records that are relevant to your claim.
When you receive a request for evidence, respond as quickly as possible. While the VA must give you at least 30 days, claims move faster when evidence arrives promptly. If you cannot obtain the requested evidence, inform the VA in writing so they can pursue alternative strategies.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).