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Buddy statements—more commonly referred to as buddy letters—are statements provided in support of a veteran’s PTSD disability claim. As opposed to a nexus letter authored by a medical expert, these statements are written by lay witnesses, meaning the friends and family of the service member.
The purpose of these letters is to describe symptoms of PTSD witnessed by friends and family by describing changes in behavior. They can detail the onset, frequency, and extent of the symptoms in an effort to establish the condition is present. These letters can play a critical role in obtaining VA disability benefits for PTSD.
Why Are Buddy Statements Useful?
The purpose of a buddy statement is to provide support for a disability claim during the VA’s appeal process. While these claims rely on expert testimony in the form of a nexus letter, there is also a need for testimony regarding a veteran’s physical and emotional condition from the perspective of a close friend or family member.
The appeals process is friendly to veterans in that it allows statements from a wide variety of individuals to be entered into the record and considered by decision-makers within the VA.
In many situations, this testimony can form the basis for a successful disability claim. It can put a doctor’s medical opinion into context and strengthen a diagnosis by attesting to symptoms that are linked to PTSD. Having one or more of these letters could be enough to secure a positive outcome on appeal.
What Should PTSD Buddy Statements Include?
The specific content of these letters is important. They are intended to provide the VA with missing pieces in a veteran’s record that cannot be filled by medical evidence or service records. These letters should include details of the incident or incidents that you believe led to your PTSD.
It is important to note that the requirements for these claims have been loosened dramatically since 2010. Before that, the VA expected veterans claiming PTSD from in-service events to provide details about the specific attack or moment in combat that resulted in their condition. This in turn required buddy letters to provide details corroborating that a specific ambush, bombing, or event occurred. After years of denied claims due to the lack of specific details from these events, a regulatory change loosened the requirements needed to secure disability benefits for PTSD.
Now, the requirement of corroboration of a specific traumatizing event has been removed. Buddy letters are still useful for establishing that a veteran lived in fear of hostile military action, and they are helpful in establishing the symptoms of PTSD.
Buddy Statements for Non-Combat Trauma
It is possible to secure PTSD benefits for events that occurred outside of combat, such as MST. In fact, buddy letters for these cases are especially important given the deference the VA now gives to combat claims. When trauma occurs outside of a warzone, the need for corroboration is greater. A buddy statement could be invaluable for proving that a traumatic event occurred.
There are a few common situations that can lead to PTSD claims outside of combat. These scenarios make buddy letters especially important for corroborating the events. One example is a claim for an undocumented in-service sexual assault. In this instance, any mention of an assault within a service member’s records is unlikely. A buddy letter could help corroborate that the attack occurred.
A layperson is capable of providing evidence and making observations that can confirm that the assault occurred. For example, they could confirm that the veteran disclosed details of the assault at the time it happened.
Who Can Write a Buddy Letter?
There are few limitations on who may write a buddy letter to the VA. The author must be at least 18 years of age, and they need personal knowledge of the objective signs and symptoms of the disease. Letters are inappropriate when their only content is second-hand knowledge or matters of opinion. They are often written by spouses, coworkers, and friends.
These letters are focused on lay testimony, which are the type of observations anyone can make. They include the things a witness has seen, felt, or heard. This could include visible changes in a veteran’s appearance or notable shifts in their mood or personality.
Complex matters that require expert knowledge are not appropriate for a buddy statement. These letters should not include medical diagnoses or rely on any kind of expertise. Anything not personally observed by the witness should not be included.
When considering whether a letter is appropriate, the key consideration is whether the author is competent enough to discuss the matter. They need to have some degree of familiarity with the veteran filing the claim while knowing that person long enough to be able to identify any differences in their demeanor over time.
Letters From Spouses
Despite the term “buddy letter,” which implies it is written by someone who served with the veteran, spouses are often in the best position to provide a statement in a PTSD case.
One reason for this is that some PTSD symptoms take years to manifest. Often, they occur after a veteran has left active duty. In that scenario, a spouse is the most likely person to be able to testify to these symptoms or observe the changes in mood and personality that PTSD can bring.
Learn More About a Buddy Statement and PTSD VA Rating
If your claim for PTSD benefits was denied by the VA, you still have the opportunity to appeal that decision. By providing additional information like buddy letters from spouses or friends, you may be able to establish the condition and secure your PTSD VA rating.
At Gang & Associates, our team is prepared to help you appeal your denied claim and maximize your chances of getting the benefits you deserve. Call today to learn more.