VA Form 21-0781, officially titled Statement in Support of Claim for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) , is the primary document used by veterans to provide a detailed, personal account of a traumatic in-service event that caused their PTSD. It serves as the veteran’s sworn testimony, establishing the "stressor" required for service connection.
Check all that apply. If (military sexual trauma - MST), do not use this form. Use VA Form 21-0781a (MST-specific) instead. va form 21-0781
This section tracks "markers" of trauma that may not appear in official records, such as sudden shifts in work performance, substance abuse, or relationship issues. VA Form 21-0781, officially titled Statement in Support
Without a completed 21-0781, VA cannot verify the traumatic event. This form is your voice when records are missing, incomplete, or classified. A thorough, consistent, and emotionally precise statement is often the difference between a grant and a denial. If (military sexual trauma - MST), do not use this form