VA Buddy Letter Example and When to Use One
When buddy letters help VA disability claims and what a strong buddy statement should include.
Direct answer
What should a VA buddy letter include?
A strong VA buddy letter should identify who the writer is, how they know the veteran, what they personally observed, when they observed it, and how the condition affected the veteran. It should focus on firsthand facts, not medical opinions the writer is not qualified to give.
What matters most
The writer should explain their relationship to the veteran.
The letter should include dates, locations, events, symptoms, and behavior changes.
It should describe direct observations, not speculation.
It can support in-service events, continuity of symptoms, and current severity.
The best letters are specific, honest, and easy for a VA rater to follow.
How ClaimDuty helps
ClaimDuty generates structured buddy letter requests so family, friends, or fellow service members know exactly what facts to describe.