VA Buddy Letter Example for Disability Claims

When you file a VA disability claim, the VA looks for evidence that connects your health condition to your service. Medical records and official reports carry weight, but sometimes those records are incomplete or missing key details. That’s where a VA buddy letter comes in.

A VA buddy letter is a statement from someone who knows you personally—often a fellow service member, family member, or close friend. The goal is simple: to give the VA a firsthand account of what you experienced and how it still affects you.

This guide explains what a VA buddy letter is, why it matters, how to write one, and provides a step-by-step va buddy letter example you can adapt for your claim.

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What is a VA Buddy Letter?

A VA buddy letter, sometimes called a “lay statement,” is a written account that supports your disability claim. It is not written by a doctor or lawyer, but by someone who has directly observed your condition or the event that caused it.

The VA accepts buddy letters as evidence because service records don’t always tell the whole story. For example:

• An accident may not have been documented properly at the time.
• A soldier might not have gone to medical right after an incident.
• Mental health symptoms may not appear in medical files until years later.

A buddy who saw what happened or who can describe ongoing symptoms can help fill in those gaps.

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Why VA Buddy Letters Matter

The VA is supposed to decide claims based on all available evidence. That means your own testimony, combined with credible statements from others, can tip the scales.

Here’s why buddy letters matter:

• Corroboration: They confirm that an event happened.
• Continuity: They show your symptoms have been ongoing.
• Credibility: They offer a non-medical but believable account of your daily struggles.

For example, if you’re filing for hearing loss, a buddy letter from your spouse who has seen you struggle to follow conversations helps prove impact on daily life.

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Who Can Write a Buddy Letter?

The most effective buddy letters come from people who have firsthand knowledge. That includes:

• Fellow service members who were with you during an injury or stressful event.
• Supervisors or NCOs who observed your performance changes over time.
• Family members who see how your condition affects you at home.
• Close friends or partners who notice symptoms others might miss.

The key is credibility. A letter from someone who barely knows you will not carry the same weight as one from a person who has lived or served alongside you.

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How to Write a VA Buddy Letter

A good VA buddy letter is simple, factual, and direct. It doesn’t need to be long, but it does need to cover a few basics.

Key Elements to Include

1. Personal information
   • Full name, address, phone number, and email
   • Relationship to the veteran
2. Service or personal connection
   • How you know the veteran
   • Time period and context (e.g., same unit, family member, long-term friend)
3. Details of the event or condition
   • What you saw or experienced with the veteran
   • Specific examples of symptoms or behaviors
4. Impact today
   • How the condition continues to affect the veteran’s daily life
5. Certification
   • Statement that the letter is true to the best of the writer’s knowledge
   • Signature and date

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VA Buddy Letter Example

Here’s a sample template you can adapt. Keep in mind, the letter should sound natural and come from the writer’s perspective.

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VA Buddy Letter Example

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is [John Smith]. I served with [Veteran’s Name] in [Unit/Division] from [Year] to [Year]. We were deployed together in [Location] during [Conflict/Event].

While serving with [Veteran’s Name], I personally witnessed an incident in [Month, Year] where he fell from a vehicle during a convoy. Although he did not receive medical treatment at the time, I saw him limp and complain about knee pain for the remainder of our deployment.

Since returning home, I have stayed in contact with [Veteran’s Name]. I have noticed that he continues to struggle with his knee. He often avoids activities that require running or standing for long periods. He has told me he cannot climb stairs without pain, and I have personally seen him use a knee brace on multiple occasions.

I provide this statement to confirm my observations. To the best of my knowledge, the information I have given is accurate and truthful.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Full Name]
[Contact Information]
[Date]

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Tips for Writing a Strong Buddy Letter

• Keep it clear and factual
  Avoid exaggerations. The VA values honesty and detail over emotion.
• Be specific
  Dates, locations, and concrete examples help credibility.
• Stay focused
  The letter should stick to what the writer personally knows. Secondhand stories are not as useful.
• Use plain language
  The VA does not need military jargon or complicated wording.
• Limit the length
  One to two pages is usually enough.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Vague statements like “He’s always had pain” without examples.
• Emotional appeals without evidence, such as “He deserves benefits because he sacrificed a lot.”
• Copy-and-paste templates that sound generic and robotic. The VA can tell when letters aren’t personalized.
• Leaving out contact info. The VA may need to verify the letter.

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How the VA Uses Buddy Letters

The VA treats buddy letters as supporting evidence. They don’t replace medical records, but they can:

• Prove an in-service event took place.
• Demonstrate a consistent timeline of symptoms.
• Strengthen the credibility of the veteran’s own statements.

For instance, if your service treatment records don’t mention a back injury, but two fellow soldiers describe seeing you hurt in the field, the VA has reason to believe the injury occurred.

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Real-Life Example

Consider a veteran who filed for PTSD after a convoy attack. His service record showed he was deployed, but not the specific incident. Two fellow soldiers submitted buddy letters describing the attack and the veteran’s immediate reaction. A spouse added a letter about his nightmares and anxiety since returning.

The VA reviewed those letters alongside medical evidence and granted service connection.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do VA buddy letters need to be notarized?
Not usually. A signature and date are enough. Some veterans still choose to notarize for extra credibility.

Can family members write buddy letters?
Yes. Spouses, siblings, or adult children can provide strong evidence about daily struggles.

How many buddy letters should I submit?
Quality matters more than quantity. One or two strong letters are better than five vague ones.

Where do I send a buddy letter?
Buddy letters should be uploaded with your VA claim through VA.gov, submitted by mail, or handed to your accredited representative.

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Final Thoughts

A VA buddy letter example can be one of the most practical tools in your VA disability claim. It helps fill in the gaps when medical records fall short.

The best buddy letters are straightforward, personal, and detailed. They don’t need legal language or emotional appeals—just an honest account from someone who knows you.

If you’re considering filing or already have a claim in progress, think about who in your life can provide this kind of support. A well-written buddy letter could make the difference between a denied claim and an approved one.

At Allveteran.com, we seek to help veterans connect with resources that may make all the difference. To find out your disability rating, take our free medical evidence screening today!