What is a buddy statement?

A buddy statement is a written account from someone other than the veteran, such as a fellow service member, family member, friend, or coworker, describing what that person personally saw. It is legally competent lay evidence under 38 CFR 3.159(a)(2) and is usually submitted on VA Form 21-10210 or VA Form 21-4138.

What makes a strong buddy statement?

Only firsthand, observable facts. Name when an in-service event happened and what the veteran was like right after, then give specific, dated observations of the symptoms over time. A buddy statement cannot diagnose a condition or provide the medical nexus; that is the provider's job.

Who can write a buddy statement?

Anyone with firsthand knowledge: a fellow service member who witnessed an event, a spouse or family member who has observed the symptoms over the years, a friend, or a coworker. The person signing makes a legal declaration, so every statement must be truthful.

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VA Buddy Statement Builder

A buddy statement, also called a lay or witness statement, is a written account from someone who saw what the veteran went through: a fellow service member, a spouse, a family member, a friend, or a coworker. This builder walks the witness through it, using the structure the VA reads for. The person writing it fills this out, not the veteran.

🔒 Private: it runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or sent. Your draft is saved on this device so you don't lose it — use Start fresh to wipe it, especially on a shared computer.

The one rule that matters most

Write only what you personally saw. A buddy statement is firsthand testimony — specific, dated, observable facts. That's exactly the evidence the VA can use.

Don't diagnose or give a medical opinion. "He favors his right knee on stairs" carries weight; "he has arthritis" is the doctor's call, not yours.
Be specific and put dates or how-often on it. "She stops from the pain a few times a month" beats "she's always hurting."
Everything you write is a legal declaration. Keep it true — a made-up statement is fraud and can sink the whole claim.

Who you are

Your name

Veteran's name

Your relationship to the veteran

See an example

ExamplesFellow service member · unit leader · spouse · sibling · close friend · former coworker.

VA claim number

I served with this veteranCheck this only if you were in the military with them and personally witnessed something in service. It adds an in-service section below. Family, friends, and coworkers who knew the veteran after service can leave it unchecked.

What you witnessed in service

Unit you served in together

Dates you served together

The event you personally witnessed

The specific thing you saw happen. When and where, as close as you remember.

See an example

Example — write your ownThe vehicle rollover during a convoy near Kandahar in the spring of 2010. I was in the truck behind his and saw it happen.

What you saw right after

The veteran's condition immediately after — what you observed, not what a medic concluded.

See an example

Example — write your ownHe was limping and holding his lower back, and he couldn't carry his own gear for the rest of that mission. He said his back never felt right after.

Anything else you saw in service (optional)

What you've seen since then

Since what year have you known the veteran?

What you've personally observed

Specific, observable symptoms over time — put one per line. Add how often or rough dates wherever you can. Not medical conclusions.

See an example

Example — one per lineHe favors his right knee going up stairs and takes them one at a time.
I've watched her stop what she's doing from the pain several times a month.
He's awake in visible discomfort at night, most nights that I'm around.
He's cancelled family events because of the pain about six times this past year.

A strong buddy statement covers

✓ Who you are and how you know the veteran

✓ The in-service event, if you served together

✓ Specific things you've observed since

✓ Dates or how-often on your observations

Style

The statement

0 words

Fill in the fields and the statement builds here.

How to use it

The witness fills in the prompts, then Copy or Download the statement. Send it to the VA one of two ways: put it on VA Form 21-10210 (PDF) and mail or upload it, or use the online Submit a lay or witness statement tool on VA.gov. It can also go on VA Form 21-4138. The person who witnessed it signs it — read it over first and make sure every line is true. For how lay evidence fits the rest of a claim, see the Evidence That Wins guide.

This tool is a drafting aid, not legal advice. It helps a witness organize what they personally saw; it does not supply a medical opinion or diagnosis, and it does not guarantee any outcome. A medical nexus opinion must come from a qualified provider. Veteran Field Manual is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Informational only, not legal, medical, or VA-accredited claims advice. Review the statement, make sure it is true and complete, and submit it on the official VA Form 21-10210 or VA Form 21-4138.