Buddy Statement Guide

What a buddy statement is

A buddy statement (officially "lay evidence" filed on VA Form 21-4138) is a written account from someone who knows you — a fellow service member, spouse, friend, family member, or coworker — describing what they personally observed about your condition. VA is required to consider lay evidence. A strong buddy statement from someone who served alongside you can establish facts that service records never captured.

Who can write one

• Fellow service members who served with you and witnessed the event, injury, or exposure
• A spouse, partner, or family member who lives with you and sees the daily effects of your condition
• A coworker who has witnessed your limitations at work
• A friend who has noticed behavioral or physical changes since your service
• Anyone with direct, first-hand knowledge of your condition or the in-service event that caused it

What the statement must include

• Writer's full name, address, and relationship to you
• How long they've known you and in what capacity (for example, "served in the same unit, 2009–2012")
• What they personally observed — not what you told them, but what they saw, heard, or noticed themselves
• Specific dates, locations, or events whenever possible
• How your condition has changed over time (before service, during service, and after — if they've known you that long)
• A closing statement that everything written is true to the best of their knowledge

Template outline to share with your buddy

• Opening: "I, [Name], am writing this statement in support of [Your Name]'s VA claim for [condition]."
• Relationship: "I served with [Your Name] in [unit] from [date] to [date] / I have known [Your Name] as [relationship] for [X] years."
• What I observed during service (if applicable): Describe the event, injury, or exposure they witnessed.
• What I observe now: Describe current symptoms or behaviors they personally see — sleep problems, pain, mood changes, limitations.
• Closing: "I make the above statements to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand the penalties for willful misrepresentation of information."

How to submit

The writer signs VA Form 21-4138 and submits it directly to VA, or you can include it in your own claim package. It can be uploaded via VA.gov, mailed to your VA regional office, or handed in at a VSO appointment. There's no limit to how many buddy statements you can submit.