VA Form 21-0781: A Guide to Filing a Claim for Service Connection for PTSD
How to Download VA Form 21-0781 for PTSD Claim
If you are a veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a traumatic event that occurred during your military service, you may be eligible for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To apply for this benefit, you will need to submit VA Form 21-0781, which is a statement in support of claim for service connection for PTSD. In this article, we will explain what VA Form 21-0781 is, who needs it, how to download it, how to fill it out, and how to submit it.
download va form 21-0781
What is VA Form 21-0781?
VA Form 21-0781 is a document that allows you to describe the stressful incident or incidents that caused or worsened your PTSD. The form asks you to provide information such as:
The date, location, unit assignment, and names of casualties or witnesses of the incident
The type and severity of your injury or exposure
The circumstances and details of what happened
The effects of the incident on your mental and physical health
The treatment you received or are receiving for your PTSD
The purpose of VA Form 21-0781 is to help VA verify your service connection and determine your disability rating. The more evidence you can provide, the better your chances of getting approved for compensation.
You can find more information about VA Form 21-0781 on the official VA website at .
Who Needs VA Form 21-0781?
You need VA Form 21-0781 if you meet all of these requirements:
You have a current diagnosis of PTSD from a qualified medical professional
You have a service-connected disability or injury that caused or aggravated your PTSD
You have evidence that links your current PTSD symptoms to the service-connected incident
The evidence you need may include:
Your service treatment records
Your medical records from civilian providers
Statements from yourself, your family, friends, or fellow service members
Other supporting documents such as police reports, newspaper articles, or awards citations
VA will review all available evidence to decide if you qualify for disability compensation or benefits.
How to Download VA Form 21-0781?
You can download VA Form 21-0781 online or by mail. Here are the steps to download it online:
Go to and scroll down to "Related forms and instructions"
Click on "Downloadable PDF" under "VA Form 21- 0781 - Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)"
Save the PDF file to your computer or device
Print the form or fill it out electronically
You can also request a paper copy of VA Form 21-0781 by calling VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visiting your nearest VA regional office.
Here is a table comparing the online and paper versions of VA Form 21-0781:
How to download va form 21-0781 for PTSD claim
Download va form 21-0781 online or by mail
VA form 21-0781 PDF download and instructions
Download va form 21-0781 statement in support of claim for service connection for PTSD
Where to download va form 21-0781 and where to send it
Download va form 21-0781 and fill it out online
Download va form 21-0781 and get help from a VSO
Download va form 21-0781 and learn about PTSD benefits and services
Download va form 21-0781 and provide details of stressful incidents in service
Download va form 21-0781 and check the status of your claim
Download va form 21-0781 and find out what evidence you need to submit
Download va form 21-0781 and access VA mental health services
Download va form 21-0781 and apply for VA health care
Download va form 21-0781 and get a free copy of your military records
Download va form 21-0781 and contact the Veterans Crisis Line if you need support
Download va form 21-0781a if your PTSD is related to personal assault
Download va form 21-0781 vs va form 21-526ez for PTSD claims
Download va form 21-0781 sample completed by a veteran
Download va form 21-0781 tips and best practices
Download va form 21-0781 frequently asked questions and answers
Download va form 21-0781 expiration date and update information
Download va form 21-0781 supplement for combat veterans
Download va form 21-0781 for MST (military sexual trauma) claims
Download va form 21-0781 for non-combat PTSD claims
Download va form 21-0781 for PTSD secondary to another disability
Online Version
Paper Version
Pros: Faster, easier, more convenient, less prone to errors
Pros: More familiar, more comfortable, more flexible
Cons: Requires internet access, computer skills, and PDF software
Cons: Slower, harder, less convenient, more prone to errors
Note: If your PTSD is related to a personal assault that occurred during your service, such as sexual assault or domestic violence, you should use VA Form 21-0781a instead of VA Form 21-0781. You can download VA Form 21-0781a from .
How to Fill Out VA Form 21-0781?
VA Form 21-0781 has six sections and 18 questions. You should fill out the form as completely and accurately as possible. Here is a summary of the main sections and questions on the form:
Section I: Veteran's identification information. You should provide your name, Social Security number, VA file number, date of birth, and service number.
Section II: Information about the stressful incident or incidents. You should provide the date, location, unit assignment, and names of casualties or witnesses of each incident. You should also indicate the type and severity of your injury or exposure.
Section III: Description of the stressful incident or incidents. You should describe in detail what happened during each incident. You should include the circumstances, events, actions, reactions, feelings, and sensations that you experienced or witnessed.
Section IV: Additional information. You should provide any additional information that may help VA understand your claim. For example, you can explain how the incident affected your mental and physical health, how you coped with the stress, what treatment you received or are receiving for your PTSD, and how your PTSD affects your daily life.
Section V: Remarks. You can use this section to add any other relevant information that you did not include in the previous sections.
Section VI: Certification and signature. You should sign and date the form to certify that the information you provided is true and complete to the best of your knowledge.
A tip on how to fill out VA Form 21-0781 is to provide detailed and specific information that supports your claim. For example, you can use dates, names, places, numbers, facts, examples, and quotes to illustrate your points. You can also attach additional pages or documents if you need more space or evidence.
A reminder to fill out VA Form 21-0781 is to sign and date the form before submitting it. If you do not sign and date the form, VA will not process your claim.
How to Submit VA Form 21-0781?
You can submit VA Form 21-0781 online or by mail. Here are the different ways to submit it:
Online: You can upload your completed form and supporting documents through , which is a secure online portal that allows you to apply for benefits, track your claim status, and communicate with VA.
By mail: You can mail your completed form and supporting documents to the VA regional office that handles your claim. You can find the address of your regional office at .
In person: You can hand-deliver your completed form and supporting documents to your nearest VA regional office. You can find the location of your regional office at .
By fax: You can fax your completed form and supporting documents to 844-531-7818.
We recommend that you submit your form online or by mail as these methods are faster and more reliable than faxing or hand-delivering. We also recommend that you keep a copy of your form and supporting documents for your records.
You can check the status of your claim online through or by calling VA at 1-800-827-1000.
Conclusion$905.04
70%
$1,444.71
100%
$3,146.42
You may also be eligible for additional compensation if you have dependents, such as a spouse, children, or parents, or if you have a severe disability that requires special assistance.
Q: Can I appeal the decision on my PTSD claim?
A: Yes, you can appeal the decision on your PTSD claim if you disagree with the outcome or the rating. You have one year from the date of the decision letter to file an appeal. You can choose from three options to appeal:
Request a higher-level review by a senior VA employee
File a supplemental claim with new and relevant evidence
Appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) with or without a hearing
Q: What are some tips to improve my PTSD claim?
A: Some tips to improve your PTSD claim are:
Seek professional help for your PTSD and follow your treatment plan
Gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim, such as medical records, service records, buddy statements, and personal statements
Be honest, consistent, and specific when filling out VA Form 21-0781 and answering questions from VA
Seek assistance from a VSO or a VA-accredited representative who c