You can write a lay statement for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by completing VA Form 21-10210 to describe facts and observations relating to your claim, such as your symptoms, how they have changed over time, and how they affect your daily life. As you share details about your condition and its impact, do so in clear, factual detail.
If you’re a veteran who is dealing with a service-connected disability, you may be eligible to get disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To qualify, you will have to accurately and honestly report your disability to the VA. In addition, a relevant and credible lay statement can provide evidence in support of your claim.
Veterans who want help with writing a lay statement for the VA should reach out to the team at Marc Whitehead & Associates. Our Veterans Affairs Disability benefits claims lawyers can explain how lay statements work and the benefits of writing them. If you’ve had a VA Disability claim denied previously, we may advise you to write a lay statement for Veterans Affairs.
What Is a Lay Statement for the VA?
A lay statement, sometimes called a buddy statement or lay witness statement, is a written account supporting a Veterans Disability claim. Those who can write a lay statement for the VA include:
- A veteran who wants to explain their personal experiences, pain levels, or how their medical condition affects their daily life or work
- A friend or family member of a veteran who wants to detail the behavioral or physical changes they see in this individual at home
- A fellow service member who wants to corroborate an accident, injury, or stressful event that someone dealt with during their military service
Let the attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates teach you about Veterans Disability claim procedures. On top of that, we can perform an evaluation of your claim and answer any questions you have about writing lay statements and why crafting one could help you get your VA Disability benefits request approved.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 562-9830
How to Format a VA Lay Statement
Use the VA’s lay witness statement form to submit a formal statement to support your Veterans Disability benefits application. At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we often advise veterans who are preparing a buddy statement to follow this format:
First Section
Include your name and contact information. If you’re writing the statement for a veteran, include this individual’s name and contact information and your relationship with them, such as how you met, how long you have known each other, and how frequently you see or communicate with them.
Second Section
It can be beneficial to compare how you acted and behaved before the disability to how you act and behave now, as this is your opportunity to document the physical, mental, emotional, personal, and social changes you have observed.
If you served alongside a veteran and they are using your lay statement to corroborate an in-service stressor, include a detailed account of the event and your personal observations of their actions and behaviors before and after the incident.
Third Section
Describe the current symptoms that you or the veteran is experiencing. Be as specific as possible in describing any pain or other issues, including tasks that have become more challenging to complete due to any disabling conditions.
Final Section
Complete your statement by writing your name, the date, and the following phrase: “I certify that the statements on this form are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.”
Don’t rush through the process of writing a lay statement for Veterans Affairs. Talk with the attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates if you want guidance during this process. Our lawyers want to help you put together a statement that makes it clear to the VA why a disability benefits request is valid.
Can I Write My Own Lay Statement?
As a veteran, you can write your own lay statement for a VA Disability claim. If you write your statement yourself, it’s typically beneficial to explain your symptoms, daily struggles, and how your condition is related to your military service. Below are some of the things to include in your personal statement to the VA:
- A timeline of when you were injured or when your disability symptoms first appeared and how they’ve changed over time
- Examples of how your condition affects your work, chores, or social life
- References to pages of service medical records or other medical evidence or documentation that you submit to back up the claims you make in your statement
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we know how challenging it can be to put together a lay personal statement by yourself. Our lawyers may advise you to avoid medical language and to stick to the facts as you write your statement in support of your VA claim.
Will My VA Claim Be Approved if I Write a Lay Statement?
Unfortunately, even if you write a buddy statement for the VA, your disability benefits request can still be denied. The Marc Whitehead & Associates team wants you to establish realistic expectations for your statement. Ultimately, your statement can help you with your claim in several ways, such as:
- Giving the VA a timeline that reflects the service connection of your injury and disability symptoms
- Explaining the severity of your symptoms
- Providing context into stress or specific events that contributed to your symptoms when official service records are missing or incomplete
If you submit lay evidence but have your VA Disability claim denied, our attorneys can walk you through the appeals process. At this point, we may encourage you to file a supplemental claim, request a higher-level review, or ask for a hearing with a Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) veterans law judge.
The Bottom Line on How to Write a Veterans Affairs Lay Statement
Veterans who are dealing with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), arthritis, sleep disturbances, hearing loss, or other conditions may be eligible for VA Disability benefits. By filing a lay statement with the VA as part of a claim submission, a veteran may improve their chances of securing benefits that serve them well for years.
Marc Whitehead & Associates has earned more than 2,500 five-star reviews. We are familiar with the VA claims system. Our lawyers can give you information about the importance of lay statements and explain why writing one could help you with your VA Disability claim.
We encourage veterans who are coping with head injuries, knee injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other physical and mental health conditions associated with service-related events to contact us. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a VA claim denial, we want to help you dispute the decision against you. To learn more, request a legal consultation.
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