Step 4 of 7
🤝Get Buddy Letters
Fellow service members, family, and coworkers can write statements supporting your claim.
🤝
Claim Builder
1
Gather Your Evidence
2
File an Intent to File
3
Write Your Personal Statement
4
Get Buddy Letters
5
Get a Nexus Letter
6
File Your Claim
7
Attend Your C&P Exam
What They Are
Buddy letters (lay statements) are written statements from people who can verify:
- That your condition started or was present during service
- How your condition currently affects your daily life
- Changes they've observed in your behavior or abilities
Who Can Write Them
- Fellow service members who served with you
- Spouse or partner
- Family members
- Close friends
- Coworkers or supervisors
- Anyone who has witnessed your condition
What to Ask Them to Include
- Their relationship to you and how long they've known you
- What they observed during or after service
- Specific examples of how your condition affects you
- How you've changed since service (for family/friends)
- Their full name, signature, and date
Format
- Can be a simple letter — no special form required
- Should include: "I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct"
- Sign and date the letter
- Include contact information
Tips
- Give your buddy a general outline of what to cover, but let them write in their OWN words
- Don't write the letter for them — the VA looks for authenticity
- More detail is better — specific dates, events, observations
- 2-3 strong buddy letters are better than 10 vague ones