Veterans who suffer from injuries or conditions that were caused by their military service can file for VA disability benefits. During this process, veterans will need to prove that the condition is directly connected to their military service and affects their daily lives. This can be a complex process and involves having strong supporting evidence to go along with it. A key piece of evidence that can help support your claim is a “buddy statement”. In this blog, we will be covering what a buddy statement is and how it can be used to strengthen your VA disability claim. 

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What is a Buddy Statement?

A buddy statement is a written statement by someone who knows the veteran well enough to speak on their behalf about their condition. It can help support a VA disability claim by describing how the veteran’s disability occurred or how it affects them on a day-to-day basis. Typically, statements are given by people who are closer to the veteran such as fellow service members who may have witnessed the events leading to the disability and friends and family members who see how it impacts them on a daily basis. It is important to note that this is not a medical opinion, but more like a personal observation. A medical opinion is also helpful evidence but must come from a healthcare provider. Buddy statements supplement medical evidence by adding personal context. 

Importance of Buddy Statements in VA Claims

Buddy statements can provide additional context to a VA disability claim that goes beyond evidence like medical documents and service records. 

Here are some of the key reasons why buddy statements are crucial in VA claims:

  1. Strengthening The Claim: A buddy statement can significantly strengthen a VA claim, especially when the other evidence provided isn’t quite compelling enough. This statement can give detailed firsthand details that support the claim. It can give insights into how the condition was established or how it impacts daily life. 
  2. Establish Service Connection: Establishing a service connection between the condition and the time the veteran served is key in VA claims. Buddy statements can provide compelling evidence, such as a fellow service member sharing what in-service events triggered the condition. This can help verify the incident. 
  3. Showing Personal Experience: A buddy statement can provide personal statements from the people who are closest to the veteran to showcase how their disability affects their life. This validates the veteran’s claim about the severity and impact of their condition which makes it more compelling. 

When to Use Buddy Statements

There are certain situations where a buddy statement in a VA claim can be more helpful than others. 

Here are some common situations where buddy statements can be beneficial:

  • Mental Health Claims: Mental health conditions can be hard to gain sufficient evidence for. If the condition was caused by a stressful event during service, a buddy statement from a fellow service member can help validate this event and its severity. Additionally, friends or family members can write buddy statements about noticeable behavior or mental health changes after service to strengthen the claim.
  • Physical Injuries Sustained During Service: If a veteran sustained an injury during their service that isn’t well documented, buddy statements can strengthen their claim significantly. A fellow service member who witnessed the event that caused the injury can provide validation for the veteran’s claim that the event did occur. 

Strengthen Your VA Disability Claim With Buddy Statements

Providing enough compelling and detailed evidence for your VA disability claim can be difficult. A buddy statement can provide the extra amount of evidence needed for a successful claim. They can help by filling in gaps in evidence, and essential support for service connection. 

If you’re a veteran filing a disability claim, it is highly recommended to submit buddy statements as part of your evidence. For those seeking guidance or assistance with their VA claims, Unruh Law can help you present a well-documented claim. Learn more by contacting Unruh Law at (833) 753-5168 or by contacting us online.