Buddy Statement VA: How to Write Lay Evidence That Wins

What a buddy statement is and why VA uses it

A buddy statement is lay evidence from someone with firsthand knowledge of your symptoms, events, or functional impact. Lay evidence is competent when it describes facts a non‑expert can observe, such as what they saw during service or how your condition affects daily life. A well written buddy statement VA reviewers can rely on is specific, consistent, and tied to dates, places, and duties.

When a buddy statement helps most

• Missing or incomplete service treatment records, especially for field injuries or delayed reporting.

• Corroborating an in‑service event or stressor for conditions like PTSD when it aligns with time, place, and unit history.

• Showing continuity of symptoms after discharge when notes are sparse, inconsistent, or scattered across providers.

Who should write it and how many to include

Aim for 1 to 3 concise statements from people with different vantage points: fellow service members, supervisors, medics, close family, or coworkers. Choose writers who can credibly place themselves at the right time and place, or who consistently observed your symptoms over time. Quality beats quantity, and each buddy statement should stay focused on one issue.

Buddy statement VA checklist

1. Identity and contact info: full name, relation to the Veteran, unit or workplace if applicable.

2. How they know you: dates, location, and frequency of contact.

3. Specific observations: concrete details of what they saw or heard, with dates or timeframes.

4. Functional impact today: work limits, sleep changes, family strain, or duty restrictions they witnessed.

5. Certification and signature: date and sign. If using VA Form 21‑10210, the certification language is already included.

Step by step: using VA Form 21‑10210

1. Get the form or submit online: VA Form 21‑10210 (Lay or Witness Statement).

2. Complete Sections I to III: identify the Veteran, describe the relationship, and specify the claimed issue the statement addresses. Keep it factual, first person, and specific.

3. Attach if needed: add pages for longer timelines or multiple incidents, but keep each point brief and dated.

4. Submit with your claim or as supplemental evidence through VA.gov or by mail as directed in current VA instructions.

Note on VA Form 21‑4138: the Statement in Support of Claim is still accepted for general narrative statements. For lay witness content, VA now provides 21‑10210, which is tailored to buddy statements. Use 21‑10210 when possible, and 21‑4138 for other clarifications as instructed.

Short template you can share with a writer

I, [Full Name], am [relationship, unit, role] to [Veteran’s name]. I served with or worked with or knew them from [location] during [dates] and saw them [frequency]. On [date or approximate timeframe], I personally observed [specific event or symptoms]. Since that time, I have observed [ongoing symptoms or functional impact] including [2 to 3 concrete examples]. I provide this statement based on my own observations and knowledge. [Signature, date].

Quality checks and common pitfalls

• Be specific: use dates, duty locations, MOS, and routine details that demonstrate presence and credibility.

• Stick to observations: avoid medical opinions or diagnoses unless the writer is a qualified clinician.

• Stay consistent: align names, dates, and terminology with service records and your own statements. VA may weigh lay evidence even when there are no contemporaneous medical notes, but inconsistencies hurt credibility.

• One topic per statement: if multiple issues exist, consider separate statements for clarity.

How a buddy statement works with the rest of your evidence

Pair credible lay statements with the right medical documents: a nexus letter that explains causation or aggravation, plus records that map the timeline from service to today. This combination helps raters connect the dots quickly. A strong buddy statement VA decision makers can use should be filed alongside your claim, your medical records, and any medical evidence that supports onset, chronicity, or aggravation.

Conclusion

A targeted buddy statement can bridge evidence gaps, corroborate in‑service events, and show real‑world impact. Choose credible witnesses, follow the 5 part checklist, and file through VA Form 21‑10210 for the cleanest presentation.

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