VA Buddy Letters: What They Are and How to Write One That Works

You served with people who saw what happened to you. Their testimony matters. A well-written buddy letter from someone who witnessed your injury or symptoms can be the difference between approval and denial.

But most buddy letters get ignored. Here's how to write one that actually helps your claim.

What Is a Buddy Letter?

A buddy letter (also called a "lay statement") is a written statement from someone who knows about your condition or how you got it. This can be:

• Fellow service members who witnessed your injury or symptoms during service
• Family members who saw how your condition affects you
• Friends or coworkers who can describe changes in your behavior or abilities
• You (your personal statement is also a buddy letter)

The VA must consider lay evidence under the law. If someone saw it, their testimony counts.

What Makes a Good Buddy Letter?

Specificity wins. Vague letters like "Joe hurt his back in Iraq" do nothing. Great buddy letters include:

• The writer's relationship to you (squad mate, spouse, supervisor, etc.)
• Exact dates and locations ("March 2018, FOB Shank, Afghanistan")
• What they personally witnessed (not what they heard from someone else)
• Details that prove they were really there
• How the condition affects you (specific examples, not generalizations)

Buddy Letter Template

Here's a proven format that works:

1. Introduction (Who you are)
"My name is [Full Name]. I served with [Veteran's Name] in [Unit] from [dates]. I currently live at [address] and can be reached at [phone/email]."

2. The Incident (What you saw)
"On [specific date], at [location], I personally witnessed [exactly what happened]. [Veteran] was [doing what activity] when [injury/event occurred]. I remember this clearly because [memorable detail]."

3. The Aftermath (Immediate effects)
"Right after, I saw [specific symptoms]. [Veteran] couldn't [specific limitation]. I helped them [what you did to assist]."

4. Ongoing Impact (Current effects)
"To this day, I notice [specific observations]. [Veteran] can't [activity] like they used to. I've seen them [specific example of limitation]."

5. Closing Statement
"Everything I have written is true to the best of my knowledge. I am available to provide additional information if needed."

6. Signature and Date
Sign and date the letter. Notarization isn't required but adds credibility.

What Raters Look For

VA raters review thousands of buddy letters. They know when one is legit and when it's fluff. They look for:

• Firsthand knowledge. "I saw" beats "I heard."
• Credibility markers. Specific dates, unit names, locations only someone who was there would know.
• Consistency. Does the letter match your service records and medical timeline?
• Competence to observe. Was the writer in a position to actually see what they claim?

⚠️ Watch Out: Don't have your buddy diagnose you. They can describe symptoms ("he couldn't sleep and jumped at loud noises"), but only doctors can say "PTSD." Stick to what they observed.

Common Mistakes That Weaken Letters

Too short. A 3-sentence letter looks lazy. Aim for 1-2 pages with real details.

No contact info. Raters might want to follow up. Include a phone number or email.

Vague language. "Sometimes," "often," "pretty bad" mean nothing. Use specifics: "3-4 times per week," "can't walk more than 100 yards."

Hearsay. Don't write about things you didn't personally see. "John told me he hurt his back" doesn't count.

Copy-paste jobs. Raters can tell when 5 people submit identical letters. Each buddy should write in their own words.

Who Should Write Your Buddy Letters?

For in-service injuries:

• Squadmates who were there when it happened
• Your NCO or officer who filed the incident report
• Medics who treated you

For ongoing conditions:

• Spouse or partner who sees daily struggles
• Fellow veterans who notice changes since service
• Coworkers who've seen limitations at work

💡 Pro Tip: Get multiple letters from different perspectives. One from a service buddy about the injury, one from your spouse about current impact, one from a friend about social withdrawal. More angles = stronger case.

How to Submit Buddy Letters

Upload them with your VA claim at VA.gov. You can also:

• Mail them to your regional office
• Submit through your VSO
• Upload anytime via the VA mobile app (even after filing)

Keep copies for yourself. If you appeal, you'll want them.

Real Examples That Worked

For PTSD (from a spouse):
"I've been married to Mike for 8 years. Before his deployment to Afghanistan in 2019, he was outgoing and loved family gatherings. Since returning, he refuses to go anywhere crowded. Last month at our daughter's school play, he had to leave because too many people were there. He wakes up 3-4 times a night from nightmares, and I hear him yelling. He won't talk about what happened overseas, but I know it changed him."

For Knee Injury (from a squad mate):
"I was in the Humvee with SGT Davis when we hit the IED on Route Tampa outside Fallujah on June 3, 2015. The explosion threw all of us forward. I saw Davis's knee smash into the metal seat frame in front of him. His knee swelled up immediately. He couldn't do PT for months. Even after he got back to duty, I noticed him limping during ruck marches."

Final Thoughts

Don't be shy about asking for buddy letters. Most veterans are happy to help a fellow vet. Make it easy for them — send this template and explain what you need.

The bottom line: Details matter. The more specific and credible your buddy letters, the stronger your claim.