tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post1385291981033013854..comments2023-05-10T04:47:11.680-07:00Comments on The Blog at Military Disability Made Easy: The 4 Parts of a Buddy LetterMDMEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08807695915566004972noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-60732282958218789162022-06-27T06:49:57.646-07:002022-06-27T06:49:57.646-07:00Hi Sara - That's an excellent question. It is ...Hi Sara - That's an excellent question. It is confusing. The VA still notes VA Form 21-4138 as the preferred method for a buddy statement. When using this form, the witness can include all of their contact info at the end of their statement and then sign at the bottom instead of the veteran. The VA also has a new form that can be used for lay statements that makes the distinction clearer between the veteran and the witness: VA Form 21-10210. This isn't, however, noted as the main preferred form, so it is confusing. Ultimately, either form will work just fine as long as the veteran's info and witness's statement, contact information, and signature are clear on either. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-25836121798344813442022-06-20T18:59:23.281-07:002022-06-20T18:59:23.281-07:00That's on VA Form 21-4138That's on VA Form 21-4138Sara Camposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08296888832858137292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-72579165613752673572022-06-20T18:55:17.262-07:002022-06-20T18:55:17.262-07:00Who signs the buddy letter? STATEMENT IN SUPPORT O...Who signs the buddy letter? STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM 2900-0075: #9 says: SIGNATURE OF VETERAN/BENEFICIARY. You would think the person making the statement signs it but its asking for the veteran's signature.Sara Camposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08296888832858137292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-53550914094467415492022-04-11T07:29:28.579-07:002022-04-11T07:29:28.579-07:00You can submit an appeal.
https://militarydisabi...You can submit an appeal. <br /><br />https://militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/va-appeals.html<br /><br />Make sure to emphasize the development of your OSA in relation to your hyperthyroidism. If you didn't with the initial claim, you could find medical studies that connect the conditions and submit those as additional evidence. Highlight how your OSA developed in a similar manner to hyperthyroidism as proven by those studies. Also, reiterate the claims made by your physician in your Nexus. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-57091635867590110252022-04-07T05:32:31.245-07:002022-04-07T05:32:31.245-07:00Follow up: I completed another sleep study, and t...Follow up: I completed another sleep study, and they found I still have OSA. I also had a Nexus letter linking my hypothyroid to my OSA done, I filed a claim, and the VA scheduled me for a C&P exam. The C&P examiner said it was less likely than not that my hypothyroid is causing my OSA. So my claim was denied. I'm so frustrated right now...what is my next step?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />RobertRoberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11881247270036137990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-33192530842904399222022-02-23T19:10:01.867-08:002022-02-23T19:10:01.867-08:00It can help prove that the injury occurred. The mo...It can help prove that the injury occurred. The more pressing issue, however, would be to prove that the condition is an ongoing disability if it was only mentioned once in your medical records. The VA doesn't rate a condition that successfully healed, and the lack of medical records suggests that it did. If any significant time has passed since the injury, it will probably be assumed that any current issues are a new injury and not related to the original without regular documentation connecting the original to the present. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-77397448099682194702022-02-22T15:15:13.108-08:002022-02-22T15:15:13.108-08:00IF you were treated for and injury at the base hos...IF you were treated for and injury at the base hospital, say a sprain neck. You only have one document in your medical records, can a buddy letter help in your claim? Thanks TimMTimMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830967723631469376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-19333465235189047192021-09-06T05:50:53.346-07:002021-09-06T05:50:53.346-07:00Yes, you can definitely file for it now, but you w...Yes, you can definitely file for it now, but you will also need recent treatment records showing the current severity of your OSA (daytime sleepiness, use of CPAP, etc.). If you haven't been seen since the initial diagnosis, you will definitely need more recent evidence. Not all of this has to come from your civilian physician (the VA will request a C&P Exam), but it will make your case much stronger to have recent evidence from your civilian physician as well along with the Nexus Letter.Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-90716261326205776972021-09-02T08:14:46.581-07:002021-09-02T08:14:46.581-07:00I retired in 2006 and rated at 30%...I got diagnos...I retired in 2006 and rated at 30%...I got diagnosed with Sleep apnea, in 2011, my civilian doctor connected it to my Hypothyroidism and hypertension which are service connected. She never did a nexus letter, nor did I file a claim! My fault I didn't know that I could (never got educated, like I am now). My question...is it too late to file for service connection for OSA, with a nexus letter? Or do I need to do another sleep study, that is current, with a nexus letter?<br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br />RobertRoberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11881247270036137990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-37227391641004953872021-08-02T12:25:08.535-07:002021-08-02T12:25:08.535-07:00Migraines can be connected to PTSD. Make sure you ...Migraines can be connected to PTSD. Make sure you have a NEXUS letter that clearly notes that your migraines are the result of your PTSD. <br /><br />https://militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/nexus-letter.htmlMilitary Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-89044631062693540922021-08-02T11:26:45.906-07:002021-08-02T11:26:45.906-07:00I'm recently filed for injuries in 1983,long t...I'm recently filed for injuries in 1983,long time but I spent 2-3 days in hosp w/surgery stitches diagnosis post concussion syndrome am filing PTSD migraines do I have light vlaimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15634785188592753822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-21227495870230331392021-07-19T07:02:57.093-07:002021-07-19T07:02:57.093-07:00It is possible. You will need to have a mental hea...It is possible. You will need to have a mental health professional officially treat and diagnose your PTSD and clearly note that the cause is your knee pain. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-30624017032514607742021-07-14T12:58:09.322-07:002021-07-14T12:58:09.322-07:00Can I link my ptsd to my knee injuries due to prol...Can I link my ptsd to my knee injuries due to prolonged daily pain (25 years)? I have read articles that support the link.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04609863376883883856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-37220630944928478692021-06-07T07:24:59.247-07:002021-06-07T07:24:59.247-07:00You can definitely strengthen your case by getting...You can definitely strengthen your case by getting a commander's letter, though the Buddy letters should be enough to verify the event occurred. Even more important however is more modern medical evidence. A chiropractor alone is not enough to officially diagnose you with a condition. Have you seen a physician for your conditions? If not, you need to have the condition officially diagnosed by a specialist. A NEXUS letter from the specialist connecting it to the accident will be very beneficial. Since so much time has passed, you also need to show that the condition has been present consistently over that time to rule out a more recent cause of the condition. It must be clear that the accident was the cause, and with such a large gap in evidence, that is harder and harder to prove. Your chiropractic medical records can be helpful in this, especially if you started going soon after the incident or service. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-48325514388267977112021-06-05T07:45:45.785-07:002021-06-05T07:45:45.785-07:00I just filed an intent to claim for injuries susta...I just filed an intent to claim for injuries sustained in Iraq in '04. They have gotten worse over the years. I never went to sick call after getting in an humvee accident. I have 3 buddy letters verifying the accident and my injuries, one of which is from my medic. is this enough along with my chiropractor letter? Will a commander's letter carry more weight than my buddy letters? I wanted to remove myself completely from the military after I got out, but I feel like I should have pursued treatment sooner and wonder if it's even worth it to file now. Thank you for your help!Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17799759183166062701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-3257382259954778532021-03-08T06:38:26.478-08:002021-03-08T06:38:26.478-08:00Not at all. You can write the letter in support on...Not at all. You can write the letter in support only of his day-to-day limitations. You would not be able to speak to the actual event, but you can provide testimony of how the conditions have worsened and affect him currently. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-19338783497013482602021-03-04T23:54:57.921-08:002021-03-04T23:54:57.921-08:00My dad is working on upping his disability because...My dad is working on upping his disability because he’s been having a lot of mobility issues (along with some PTSD) and they are severely affecting his day to day life. He asked me to write a buddy letter for him (to add to his doctors stuff and other documents) because I’m around him almost daily and have witnessed his struggling, but this is from events in Vietnam. I didn’t witness the actual events. Does this make me ineligible to write the letter?CrazyBearAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15871355303147172633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-73720359553980204082020-12-18T07:34:27.886-08:002020-12-18T07:34:27.886-08:00It's tough to say without knowing how strong y...It's tough to say without knowing how strong your evidence is for service-connection. If it was diagnosed during service and you have medical records showing that, you should be fine. If it wasn't, you'll need significant evidence of service-connection, and a DBQ is medical evidence but not service-connection evidence. <br /><br />We discuss the different types of service-connection on our site, so check them out and see if you have solid evidence of any of these. If not, you'll need to find another physician to write a NEXUS and/or other forms of evidence. <br /><br />https://militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/service-connection.htmlMilitary Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-73258646868810355612020-12-16T20:33:19.257-08:002020-12-16T20:33:19.257-08:00I have a diagnosis for GERD and Doctor fill out th...I have a diagnosis for GERD and Doctor fill out the DBQ form but he will not write a nexus letter. Will I win my claim for getdAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17114006857930470039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-3657980373811551942020-10-19T08:45:52.059-07:002020-10-19T08:45:52.059-07:00It isn't necessarily pointless. A single buddy...It isn't necessarily pointless. A single buddy letter with no other evidence is weak, however, the more evidence you can give, the stronger you case. <br /><br />In your case, because the migraines were the result of exposure, if you can provide a couple buddy letters and even a commander's letter that all testify to both the exposure and that you experienced headaches in service, and if you can provide ample evidence that similar exposure is known to cause migraines, and include a NEXUS Letter from your physician claiming that the migraines are the result of the exposure, then you'll have a fairly solid case. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-78899327058606614152020-10-17T13:53:45.445-07:002020-10-17T13:53:45.445-07:00So I am filing for Migraines due to burn barrels a...So I am filing for Migraines due to burn barrels and frequently flying through that nasty haze over Baghdad as a UH-60 Crew Chief. I was never seen by a doc while in because I just figured it was headaches. After doing research and seeing it can be linked to exposure I decided to file. So from what I am reading in these comments, it’s probably pointless to file a claim for it even with a buddy letter.RyanDChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16801990117600823173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-50272200925999598022020-10-07T09:30:14.309-07:002020-10-07T09:30:14.309-07:00A buddy letter can cover everything in a single le...A buddy letter can cover everything in a single letter. Make sure, however, that the buddy clearly comments on each condition separately and how that condition alone affected your daily life and ability to do your job. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-62391906650470956562020-09-27T11:08:17.852-07:002020-09-27T11:08:17.852-07:00Is a buddy letter meant to cover just 1 part of a ...Is a buddy letter meant to cover just 1 part of a claim IE: you get headaches and you have lower back pain. Do you need 2 letters or do you need to have them put it all in one?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962635345937401820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-80637088459058379332020-06-01T09:34:59.932-07:002020-06-01T09:34:59.932-07:00It is always best to use the updated versions, but...It is always best to use the updated versions, but if the buddy letter was written and dated before the current forms were issued, then they can still be used to support a claim/appeal.Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-49565728024327000682020-05-29T22:26:50.823-07:002020-05-29T22:26:50.823-07:00Will the Aug 2004 version of this form still be ac...Will the Aug 2004 version of this form still be accepted? ExArtyM109A6https://www.blogger.com/profile/15504289610823067144noreply@blogger.com