A brother recently reached out. We have not physically seen each other since probably 2013-14 time frame. We have periodically messaged one another on either Facebook or text probably only 5-10xs since then in very small conversations. A hot topic during the last decade between us was VA claims/ compensation.

I had brought up my ratings and such when he had discussed wanting to try and get this or that rated as service connected. Cool.

But that was essentially all we talked about. We had a lot in common because we grew up in the same area and ended up in the same battalion only in different companies but attached to the same barracks.

Anyways, he recently reached out asking me to write a lay statement for a claim of his for PTSD. Told me to write down how I noticed his behavior and attitude change in the school house and fleet.

I feel wrong doing something like that when I literally was only around him regularly in the school house. I was not around him in the fleet as we were in different companies and maybe said hi in passing or chatted briefly. Then there’s the elephant in the room. This same guy got me in major trouble in the school house to the point I was made out to be a black sheep in the fleet for 3 of my 4yrs and a lot of mentally debilitating bullshit came from it. I don’t like to bring it up with him but he was the sole reason for me hating my time in the Corps. Like when you weigh all the good and bad out, all the bad was solely because of what he did to me.

So here I am, presented with him wanting me to help him in the vaguest of ways that feels like lying too. A dude who made my life hell despite still being my “friend?” More like acquaintance.

Should I just ignore his request? Or should I write the statement out for him and be done?

My gut is telling me to just ignore his request and not even entertain him with a response that could cause some pointless drama.