Supplemental Claims Guide - Información adicional para presentar reclamaciones

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen

A step-by-step guide for submitting a VA supplemental claim using new and relevant evidence. It explains how to gather updated medical records, verify dates after the last disability denial, and support presumptive conditions with cited medical literature. It instructs claimants to prepare nexus and buddy letters, organize evidence into disability-specific packets, and complete VA Form 21-4138 with a clear service-connection narrative. The guide covers completing VA Form 20-0995, mailing the full package, and adding a cover sheet, while noting it is for informational purposes only.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Supplemental Claims Guide

Gather or get new evidence

Print all evidence since the last claim

Personal statement on VA Form 21-4138

Complete VA supplemental claim form

Mail the package and include required items

THIS GUIDE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY Supplemental Claims Guide [https://bevetstrong.com/supplemental-claims/](https://bevetstrong.com/supplemental-claims/) 1. Gather or get any new evidence: ● If you have any current medical records to support your claim since getting your original decision, gather those records. ** If you do not have any new evidence since getting your original denial, you should consider beginning treatment and/or seeking a diagnosis to substantiate your supplemental claim. ● Verify that the evidence you are presenting is dated after the last time you claimed that disability. ● Research and cite medical journals, articles, or literature pulling quotations as applicable. You especially want to do this if the condition you are going for is “presumptive” in the VA’s eyes. (e.g. Burn Pit Registry, Gulf War Illnesses, etc.) ● Additional evidence to help substantiate your claim might be a Nexus letter from a Doctor and/or a buddy letter (lay statement) . (Atlas Benefit Consulting offers NEXUS letters; reach out to your consultant about the required documents, to see if you are a good candidate.) Nexus letter: [https://bevetstrong.com/nexus-letters/](https://bevetstrong.com/nexus-letters/) This is a letter from a Doctor, that evaluates your disability and hopefully concludes that your diagnosis is: “At least as likely as not, due to military service” Buddy letter (Lay Statement): [https://bevetstrong.com/you-need-a-buddy/](https://bevetstrong.com/you-need-a-buddy/) 2. Print all evidence since your last claim: ● Compartmentalize your records by separating them by disability. ● Make a packet for each disability. ● On each page highlight important information that will help strengthen your claim: dates, diagnoses, symptoms, treatment plans, etc. This will allow the VA rater to see that you have a substantiated case for the claim(s) you are attempting to service connect. 3. Print and write a personal statement on the 21-4138: [https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-4138/](https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-4138/) Then match your symptoms with the applicable VA disability rating criteria via the below link: CFR CH.38 Criteria For each disability: ● List the Name of the Disability you ’re claiming in the First Section of the VA Form 21-4138. ● Drive and defend your claim conversationally. Example: “See attachment 2 page 4. This x-ray, or diagnosis, was given to me when I was on active duty, dated March 4, 2014. I got out in 2016, as you can see from my record.” ● Explain the approximate timeframe your disability began (the event that happened in the military to cause it), along with why it should be Service Connected. Be sure to include references to buddy letters or any nexus letters you have or can get. THIS GUIDE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY Example: “See pages 48-51 of 127 for nexus letter or buddy letter witnessing how I crushed my ankle etc.” ● List the current symptoms of your disability in terms of frequency, severity, and duration over time. Focus on the new evidence, pointing to the things that will help strengthen your claim. 4. Complete the supplemental claim form using our guide. VA Supplemental claim form: to be filled out and sent in. [https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-20-0995-ARE.pdf](https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-20-0995-ARE.pdf) Supplemental Claim Guide: See below for guidance on “how to” fill out the form. 5. Mail the whole package: Make Yourself Copies Of Everything! ● Claim Form 20-0995 ● Personal Statement VA Form 21-4138 ● Evidence that Supports your Claim(s): Medical records dated after original claim date NEXUS letter(s) Buddy letter(s) To address below: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444 You may consider faxing the forms as well to ensure the VA gets the claim: VA fax number: 844-531-7818 Include cover sheet: To

FAQs

What new evidence is needed for a VA supplemental claim?

Gather any new evidence since the original denial, such as updated medical records, and ensure the evidence is dated after the last time you claimed that disability.

How do nexus letters and buddy letters support the claim?

A nexus letter from a doctor evaluates the disability and supports a link to military service. A buddy letter provides a lay statement that witnesses or explains relevant experiences and symptoms.

What forms and materials should be included when mailing the supplemental claim?

Submit VA Form 20-0995, your personal statement on VA Form 21-4138, and evidence such as post-denial medical records plus nexus and buddy letters. Include a cover sheet addressed to the Claims Intake Center for rating and evaluation.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen