Yes.. I totally agree... buddy letters are invaluable... just always check to make sure that everything that is stated on the buddy letter is pretty accurate as the VA will pick apart to find the smallest discrepancy and then may use that against the Veteran to prove his buddy a non credible witness... However, lots of times the statements from the Veterans buddies have proved most beneficial! It is proof of what you are trying to convey to the VA that you did!
Also, Maps are wonderful.. you can demonstrate on the map where your work duties took you and what you did on that particular part of the base...
This enables the VA representative to actually visualize what you did and where...
Also, making sure that you have ordered your military service file! I have spoken to several Veterans who only had an extract of their file which most times do not include some very important documents that are imperative to the success of a claim.. such as Performance Reviews for their time served in SEA and for those trying to prove "boots" .. any travel vouchers or pay records that could help support their claim.
Steve, what i so love about you and others here.. is the support and care when you reach out and take time from your personal schedule to post such post as the one helping the Veterans to get their paperwork organized and to have things together to help them present their case.
I feel that some Veterans believe that if they file..that the VA or the DAV or American Legion or other such support groups will do the rest of what it takes to get an approval..
But it is not so... whatever the Veteran does or does not do can make a big difference in the outcome of their claim.
A Veteran pretty much has to provide supportive documents (just like you have instructed) for anything they are claiming.. such as proof of their work and exposure then medical proof as well.
You really have to present everything to them in a good order... reason of claim , then proof of exposure using various documents in your service military file or buddy statements from the service men who saw you there on or near the perimeter, then the medical evidence from your doctors and hospitals.
I love this site and others who reach out to our Veterans and their families to help them. Those like you Steve and the administrator of this site and those who call or email their buddies all STAND TALL ....
susie
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