VA Form 21-0781
PTSD Statement
Details the traumatic event(s) connected to your PTSD claim. Combat and non-combat versions exist.
PTSD Statement
In Plain English
Details the traumatic event(s) connected to your PTSD claim. Combat and non-combat versions exist.
Provides a detailed account of stressor events related to a PTSD disability claim.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to file 21-0781
When to use this form
When filing a PTSD claim based on combat, fear of hostile military activity, or non-MST traumatic events during service.
Recommended (if applicable)
- +Deployment records or combat action documentation
Helps corroborate your stressor events.
- +Buddy statements from fellow service members
Statements from people who were there or witnessed the aftermath.
- +Current PTSD diagnosis from a mental health provider
A diagnosis strengthens your claim significantly.
You'll need to provide
- ✓Description of each stressor event (what happened, where, when)
- ✓Unit assignment and dates of service at the time
- ✓Names of others involved or who witnessed the event
- ✓How the event affects you now
- ✕Being too vague about the stressor — include dates, locations, and unit assignments
- ✕Not connecting the event to your current symptoms
- ✕Using the wrong form — use 21-0781a for MST/personal assault
- ✕Trying to describe every event — focus on the strongest 1-3 stressors
Mail to
Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444
Submit with your 21-526EZ. List PTSD as one of your claimed conditions.
Pro Tip
You don't need to prove the exact event happened. For combat-related PTSD, the VA only requires that the event is consistent with your service. A combat MOS or deployment records often provide enough corroboration.
Related Forms
You might also need
PTSD Secondary Statement
For PTSD related to personal assault or MST (Military Sexual Trauma).
Disability Compensation Claim
THE claim form. This is how you officially apply for disability benefits.
Lay/Witness Statement (Buddy Statement)
A written statement from someone backing up your claim — friends, family, or fellow service members.
Continue Your Research
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