[Skybluebrewer]

Even a simple "See applicant statement" is enough. Then label your file "Applicant_Statement" and upload it as one pdf.

They already know the statements is going to contain that information and they already know you're providing evidence to support it.

 

[Skybluebrewer]

The statement should definitely be a separate upload in it's own pdf. Whether it's one statement or broken down into answering each question individually is up to you, but it should be in one pdf with nothing else.

Required items should always be separate and not combined with other things. Then the relationship evidence like photos can combine into one, financial evidences combined, social evidences combined, proof of living together can be one pdf (lease/mortgage, bills, etc), and so on.

40 isn't bad if you have a lot of evidence. By putting the statement into it's own pdf, you should only be at 41 (or 42 if the sponsor does the same as a sponsor is also required to complete the narrative boxes or do a separate statement).

 

[Skybluebrewer]

Don't go too overboard. Remember, somebody only has a few hours to review your file and if you are typing paragraphs at the start of each pdf then they may get a bit annoyed at how much extra work they have to do. A simple table of contents at the start of the pdf should be enough to show what's inside and clearly labeling the file names.

Again, even if you answered each question of the statement separately, you should put it into one pdf. Don't upload an individual pdf for each answer to each question as you're making more work for the CO.