Help someone write a buddy statement for your claim.
Someone close to you may have seen the symptoms, changes or events you want to explain. Give them a clear way to describe what they observed, with guided questions and a place to return their statement.
Make it easier for them to help.
Give them a clear starting point. Choose whom to ask and explain what you'd like them to describe. Send a writing link they can open without a Claim Raven account. Help them describe what they remember. Questions cover how they know you, what they observed and specific examples of the effects on daily life. They write the account in their own words. In Claim Raven's research on decisions by the Board of Veterans' Appeals, rulings where the Board found the lay evidence credible were granted 89.1% of the time, compared with 2.1% where it found it not credible. The VA disability statistics page explains how those figures were counted. Keep their response with your claim. Choose a Claim Workspace for the request. When they return their statement, you can find it alongside the other material you're gathering.
Keep track of the request.
See which requests are still waiting and which have a response. Send a reminder when you want to follow up.
Writing a buddy statement yourself?
The free builder guides you through your relationship to the veteran, what you observed and the details you remember. Review and edit the wording, then download a plain letter as a PDF or text file. Want to see finished letters first? Read eight VA buddy letter examples from spouses, coworkers and people who served with the veteran. Write a buddy statement free No account needed for basic drafting and downloads. If you would rather use VA Form 21-10210, Lay/Witness Statement, fill out VA Form 21-10210 online and download the official PDF ready to sign. The form filler is free with a Claim Raven account.
Give someone a clear way to contribute.
Start with a person who knows the part of your experience you want them to describe. Request a buddy statement
Common questions
Who can I ask?
A spouse, relative, friend, coworker or fellow service member who can describe what they personally observed. The useful starting point is what the person actually knows about the events or effects you want documented.
Does the person I invite need an account?
No. They can open your invitation link, answer the questions and return their statement without creating a Claim Raven account.
What is free?
The public builder includes drafting, editing, plain letter PDF and text downloads, copying and printing without an account. Creating and managing invitations is included with Standard and Plus.
Is the official VA form included in the free download?
The free download is a plain letter. The optional emailed VA Form 21-10210 package is a separate signed-in export and requires an available account export.
Does returning a statement file it with VA?
No. Returning a statement sends it to the veteran's Buddy Letters area. Review the document and complete any required signing and submission steps separately.
How do I get started?
Create a free account without a credit card. Standard includes this tool’s paid features. You can compare plans and any eligible introductory offer in your account before paying.