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For spouses, family and caregivers

Helping a veteran with their VA claim

Thank you for helping. Here is what the VA expects, what you can do yourself, and how to use VA Disability Pro with your veteran without signing for them.

The veteran signs and files their own claim

  • A VA disability claim belongs to the veteran. The veteran signs it and sends it to the VA. Please don't sign their name or sign in to VA.gov as them.
  • If the veteran can't sign because of a physical or mental condition, VA Form 21-0972 (Alternate Signer Certification) lets an alternate signer sign for them. The VA decides who can be an alternate signer, so read the form's instructions or ask a VSO. About VA Form 21-0972(opens in a new tab)
  • The veteran can also appoint a free, VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to help or to handle the claim, using VA Form 21-22. About VA Form 21-22(opens in a new tab)

What you can do

  • Write your own statement

    Describe what you've seen, like how a condition affects their sleep, work or daily life, on VA Form 21-10210 (Lay/Witness Statement). You sign it as yourself.

    About VA Form 21-10210(opens in a new tab)

  • Gather and organize records

    Medical records, the DD-214 and VA letters. You can upload them to your veteran's account together.

  • Help them get ready for exams

    Help your veteran practice describing their worst days for the C&P exam, and keep notes of the symptoms you see.

Using VA Disability Pro together

  • Set up the account with your veteran, using the veteran's own information. The VA forms we fill out are in the veteran's name.
  • When we ask what brings you here, choose "I'm helping a veteran". We'll word the next steps for you and keep your own statement one tap away.
  • Your veteran reviews and signs every VA form. We never send anything to the VA.
Set up your veteran's accountFind a free VSO

Support for caregivers

VA's Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274. The Veterans Crisis Line is also there for the family and friends who support veterans: call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

1-855-260-3274VA Caregiver Support(opens in a new tab)

VA Disability Pro is independent software. We're not the VA, not a VSO and not VA-accredited, and this isn't legal advice. The VA decides who qualifies for each benefit. Checked against VA.gov on October 23, 2026.