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Evidence and records for a VA claim

Find VA manual guidance on records requests, lay statements, and how evidence is reviewed.

Start with the kind of information you need to understand: records VA requests, records from a private provider, or statements from people with firsthand knowledge. These references explain different parts of the process; they are not a universal evidence checklist.

Choose a starting point

  • M21-1 III.i.2.D

    Evidence VA requests from you

    Start here when reading a request for information or supporting records.

    Official section: Evidence Requested From the Claimant

  • M21-1 III.ii.1.A

    Records held by federal agencies

    Browse the procedures for requesting records from federal custodians.

    Official section: Requesting Evidence From Federal Record Custodians

  • M21-1 III.ii.3

    Private medical records

    Find the separate guidance for records from private health providers.

    Official section: Requesting Evidence From Private Health Providers (PHPs)

  • M21-1 V.ii.1.B

    Personal statements and other lay evidence

    Read the guidance on reviewing testimony and lay evidence.

    Official section: Reviewing Testimony and Lay Evidence

  • M21-1 V.ii.1.A

    How VA reviews and weighs evidence

    See the broader evidence-review principles alongside the rules for particular records.

    Official section: Principles of Reviewing and Weighing Evidence

This is a curated selection, not every rule that might apply. References awaiting source or editorial review are omitted.

Browse all three manuals →

Review your own claim records

Start a free Claim Readiness Review to check one claim document for what it supports and what may be missing. Or create a free account to explore Claim Raven.

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The review cannot guarantee a VA decision or replace an accredited representative. You decide what to file.

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You do not need to know a manual citation. Pick a topic to find a curated starting point.

The M21 manuals are VA staff guidance, not a substitute for statutes, regulations, or binding court decisions. Claim Raven is independent of VA. Read the original source and important limits on each reference page.