What a buddy statement is
A sworn lay statement from someone who has personal knowledge of your in-service injury, event, or symptoms, used as evidence under 38 CFR § 3.159. Filed on VA Form 21-10210 (Lay/Witness Statement).
Who can write one
- Battle buddies, squad members, anyone who served with you.
- Spouse, parents, or close friends who witnessed symptoms before/during/after service.
- Civilian coworkers who can speak to functional limitations.
- The buddy doesn't need to still be in service or even be a veteran themselves.
What makes a strong buddy statement
- Identify the writer clearly, full name, dates of service if a fellow servicemember, unit, and how they know you.
- Specific dates and locations, "In October 2008, while deployed to FOB Salerno.." beats "back in the day."
- First-hand observation only, what they saw, heard, did. Not what they were told later.
- Specific events, the IED blast, the fall from the truck, the night you couldn't stop shaking after the firefight.
- Symptoms they witnessed, sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, knee favoring, hearing problems.
- Sworn under penalty of perjury, the form has the language; they sign and date.
What makes a weak buddy statement (avoid)
- "He was a great soldier and deserves benefits.". Conclusory, no facts.
- Speculation: "I think he might have been hurt..". VA disregards.
- Medical opinion from a non-medical writer: "His PTSD started from..". Lay people can describe symptoms, not diagnose.
- Generic "I served with him for two years" without any specific events.
Sample structure
> I, [Name], served with [Veteran] in [Unit] from [Date] to [Date]. On or about [Specific Date], I personally witnessed [specific event]. I observed [Veteran] [specific symptoms] in the days/months following. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct.
How to submit
- Attach as evidence on VA.gov when you file your claim.
- Or include with VA Form 21-526EZ if filing on paper.
- Multiple buddy statements are better than one, they corroborate each other.
For PTSD claims especially
Buddy statements can establish a stressor even if the official records don't document the event. Critical for combat experiences not captured in unit records.