Buddy statements 101

STRs aren't perfect. They get lost, misfiled, or simply never capture what happened — especially for events outside sick call. A buddy statement is a sworn statement (VA Form 21-10210) from someone with personal knowledge: a fellow service member, a roommate, a family member, a chaplain.

VA cannot reject a buddy statement just because it's lay testimony. Under 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(a)(2), lay evidence is competent for matters within the witness's personal observation. A buddy can attest to: what symptoms they saw, what an event looked like, how your behavior changed.

A good buddy statement does three things: 1. Identifies the witness's relationship and timeframe. "I served with [vet] in 3rd Platoon, Charlie Co., 1st Battalion 5th Marines, from January 2007 to October 2008." 2. States only what was personally observed. Not "I think his back is from the IED" — but "On the patrol of June 14, 2008, our vehicle struck an IED. I saw him hit the rear of the cab. He was complaining of back pain that night and for the rest of the deployment." 3. Is signed under penalty of perjury. Form 21-10210 has the statutory language.

Avoid: medical opinions ("I think he has PTSD"), conclusions, anything not personally witnessed.

We help vets draft and collect buddy statements when STRs have gaps. It's free of charge before any decision.