A “Buddy Statement,” for purposes of this article, is a simple, written document provided by someone who knows a veteran and has information helpful to that veteran’s disability claim. These documents are often forgotten or overlooked when gathering evidence to support disability claims before the Veterans Administration. This is a mistake. The VA must consider these statements when they evaluate your initial disability claim or your claim for an increased disability rating. The VA, however, sometimes ignores this important information; these errors have helped me win many cases for my clients.

A relevant, detailed Buddy Statement can provide information that shores up your allegations about, for instance, how your injury or condition occurred, whether you received treatment for it during your military service, and symptoms and limitations other people have observed. A buddy statement can come from not only a fellow service member but from a parent, sibling, child, cousin, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. A believable Buddy Statement can convince the VA that you actually did get medical treatment even though the VA has lost those medical records (yes—this happens). To make sure you provide the VA with convincing Buddy Statements, I urge you to follow the tips below:

Tip #1: Turn each Buddy Statement into an Affidavit.

You want the statements to be as powerful and persuasive as possible. Have your buddies write or type their statements and then sign in front of a notary public. This is more powerful evidence than If your buddy just writes a statement and signs it. If you’d like, you can email me, and I’ll send you a general example of what it should look like.

Tip #2: Make sure each Buddy Statement is for the right time period.

If your claim is for service connection, you want buddy statements from people who served in the military with you, and you want them to write about issues/problems you had in-service that relate to your specific claim. A statement that only talks about your issues/problems NOW does not establish that the injury/problem started or was aggravated during your service in the military. If your claim is for an increased disability rating, the statements need to address how your condition/problem has WORSENED since your last rating with regard to that particular claim.

Tip #3: The Buddy Statement must state how this person knows you.

If this person was in basic training or combat with you, that should be stated. If he or she was part of your chain of command, that should be stated. If he or she took you to sick bay three times, that fact needs to be in the statement. And so on…

Tip #4: If your buddy has special expertise, this should be described.

For instance, I have a client whose buddy was a medic in service and is now an EMT. He has medical knowledge, so (along with the other important information he could provide about my client’s claim) we had him briefly explain his medical experience in his Buddy Statement.

Tip #5: The Buddy Statement must list specific examples or events.

If your buddy saw you get injured, the statement needs to describe this event (including where it happened, when it happened, other witnesses, etc.). If your buddy saw you limping during training, the statement should include details about that. If he or she heard what the doctor told you, this is important information to include.

These are very important general guidelines for effective and convincing Buddy Statements that can help you win your VA disability claims. If you want a free example of an effective Buddy Statement in Affidavit form, which includes the crucial information discussed above, simply EMAIL me (see below) and ask for my Buddy Statement Affidavit form. I’ll email it to you; no strings attached.

Lisa McNair Palmer, Esq.
Help4-Disabled@usa.net
FB: @VADisabilityHelp
Tw:@DisabledVetLaw

*Unless you are my client already, please do not consider this article as specific legal advice regarding your own individual legal matters. The information provided here is not intended to provide legal advice, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship. In order to become my client, we both have to sign some important paperwork. I’m happy to talk to you about how I can help with your case.*