What a buddy statement is
VA calls it a lay or witness statement. VA has a form for it, VA Form 21-10210 (Lay/Witness Statement), and it also accepts signed written statements. Our template follows the same information VA asks for. You can use either, or copy the content into the VA form.
Who should write one
- Fellow service members who saw the injury, event, or exposure, or noticed changes in you
- Spouses, family, and friends who see your symptoms today, like sleep problems, pain, mood changes, or limits on daily activities
- Coworkers or supervisors who see how your condition affects your work
What to include
- The writer's full name, contact information, and relationship to you (and their service details, if a fellow service member)
- How they know what they're describing, from firsthand observation
- Specific facts: dates (even approximate), places, units, what they saw or heard
- For current symptoms: how often, how severe, and real examples
- A certification that it's true to the best of their knowledge, with a signature and date
Stick to what they observedA lay witness can describe symptoms they see, like limping, nightmares, or shortness of breath. A layperson generally can't give a medical diagnosis or say what caused a condition. That's what a medical opinion is for.
Common mistakes
- Using a script. VA gives more weight to statements in the writer's own words.
- Vague praise ("He's a great guy and deserves this") instead of facts
- Unsigned or undated statements
- Claiming to have seen things they didn't
Knowingly making false statements to VA is a federal crime. Statements must be truthful.
Not sure whose statement would help most?
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Sources
VA Form 21-10210 · VA: Evidence to support your claim
General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed October 2026.