When it comes to filing a VA disability claim, many Veterans assume that only medical records or service treatment documents matter. While those are essential pieces of evidence, there’s another powerful tool that is often overlooked: lay statements. These personal testimonies from people who know you well can play a critical role in supporting your claim—especially when the medical evidence is limited or when symptoms are difficult to quantify, such as in mental health cases.
What Are Lay Statements?
Lay statements—also known as “buddy statements” or “statements in support of claim”—are written by individuals who can speak to your condition from personal observation. These people don’t need to be doctors or legal experts. Instead, they are often spouses, close family members, friends, fellow service members, or even co-workers who have witnessed how your disability impacts your life.
The VA gives weight to these types of statements because they offer a real-world glimpse into how your condition affects you on a daily basis. In many cases, these statements can tip the scales in your favor when your claim lacks extensive medical documentation or when the VA is unsure how severe your symptoms are.
Why Are Lay Statements Important?
They fill in the gaps. Medical records may show a diagnosis, but they rarely explain how the condition affects your relationships, employment, or mental state. A lay statement paints that fuller picture.
They support your credibility. When the VA sees that multiple people confirm your account of your symptoms, it adds credibility to your own statements.
They’re especially useful for mental health claims. Conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression can be hard to “prove” with tests alone. Statements from your spouse or close friends describing your behavior, emotional struggles, or triggers can validate your claim in a way clinical notes might not.
They can demonstrate symptom progression. A longtime friend or spouse may describe how your symptoms have worsened over time, which is helpful if you’re pursuing a higher rating.
What Makes a Strong Lay Statement?
Not all lay statements are equally effective. At Veterans Valor, we advise our clients to make sure their statements are:
Specific: Vague statements like “He doesn’t feel well” won’t help much. A better version might be: “He often wakes up in the middle of the night with nightmares, sometimes yelling or sweating. This happens at least four times a week.”
First-hand: The person should describe things they’ve personally observed—not second-hand stories or assumptions.
Detailed: The more context, the better. Include examples, dates (if possible), and how the condition has impacted your ability to work, socialize, or live independently.
Consistent: The statement should align with the rest of your claim (your own testimony, medical records, etc.), not contradict it.
Tips for Writing and Submitting Lay Statements
Use VA Form 21-4138, “Statement in Support of Claim,” though any signed document can be accepted.
Encourage the writer to clearly state their relationship to you, how long they’ve known you, and how often they see you.
If possible, include multiple lay statements from different perspectives—spouse, child, friend, co-worker—to build a well-rounded view.
Submit these with your initial claim or with a supplemental claim, especially if the VA denied your case for “lack of evidence.”
Let Veterans Valor Help You Strategize
At Veterans Valor, we believe in building strong, holistic claims—ones that are not only medically and legally sound, but also deeply personal and human. Lay statements can make a significant difference when used properly, and we work closely with Veterans to guide their families or friends in writing effective support letters.
You don’t have to face the VA claims process alone or rely solely on cold documentation. Your life, your struggle, and your experience matter. Let those who know you best help tell your story—and let us help you ensure it’s heard.
