Urinary Injuries Lay Statement Guide

The guide includes a structured spreadsheet workbook with separate worksheets for each of the following roles:

• Veteran (self-statement)
• Spouse
• Parent
• Boss / Supervisor
• Coworker
• Fellow Service Member

Each worksheet contains organized categories of example language designed to help the writer describe their observations clearly and effectively.

Phrase Categories Included

Every role-specific worksheet includes example phrases for the following statement sections:

1. Identification / Relationship
   Explains who the writer is and how they know the veteran.

2. Impact: Physically
   Observations about physical symptoms related to urinary conditions such as urgency, frequency, leakage, nighttime waking, or difficulty controlling bladder function.

3. Impact: Mentally / Emotionally
   Describes how the condition may affect stress levels, embarrassment, frustration, sleep quality, or emotional wellbeing.

Impact: Socially
Observations about how urinary symptoms affect social activities, travel, outings, or participation in events due to the need for frequent restroom access.

4. Effect on Everyday Life
   Real-world examples of how the condition interferes with daily routines such as work tasks, errands, driving, sleep, or household responsibilities.

5. Before the Condition
   Statements describing the veteran’s lifestyle and abilities prior to the onset of urinary symptoms.

6. After the Condition
   Describes the changes that occurred after symptoms developed or worsened.

7. Specific Observations
   Three categories of detailed observations describing situations the writer personally witnessed related to the veteran’s urinary symptoms or limitations.

8. Additional Notes
   Space for other relevant observations that support the claim.

Example Phrase Library

Each category includes multiple sample responses that writers can use as inspiration when preparing their statement.

• Five example phrases are provided for each category

• Fifteen example phrases are included across the three Specific Observation sections

These examples help writers describe what they have personally seen without struggling to find the right wording.

Bonus: Instructions Guide Included

The product also includes a separate Word document with step-by-step instructions explaining:

• How to use the phrase workbook
• How to combine phrases into a complete lay statement
• Tips for writing clear and effective supporting statements

Easy to Open and Use

Both files are provided in Google Docs formats, which can be opened using Google’s free document viewer. No special software is required.

You will receive:

• A Google Sheets workbook containing the phrase libraries

• A Google Docs instruction guide explaining how to use the workbook

Why This Guide Is Useful

Medical records often document diagnoses, but they rarely capture the daily functional impact of a condition. Lay statements help bridge that gap by describing how symptoms affect everyday life.

This workbook helps provide:

• Clear descriptions of functional limitations
• Real-world examples of how symptoms affect daily activities
• Consistent language across multiple supporting statements
• Organized statements that are easier for VA reviewers to evaluate

Who This Guide Is For

• Veterans filing or appealing VA disability claims involving urinary conditions
• Family members writing supporting lay statements
• Coworkers or supervisors describing workplace limitations
• Fellow service members documenting service-related observations

What You Receive

• A role-based spreadsheet workbook with organized phrase libraries
• A step-by-step instruction document explaining how to use the workbook that also contains a letter template to use
• Both files provided in Google Docs formats, accessible through a free viewer

This guide helps veterans present a clear, structured picture of how urinary conditions affect their daily life, giving decision makers a better understanding of the true impact of the disability.