Veteran Education Archives - Military Veterans Advocacy

Veterans seeking assistance with a VA disability claim may encounter companies promising faster approvals, higher ratings or substantial benefit increases.

Before signing an agreement or paying for assistance, verify that the person offering help is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

VA accreditation is intended to ensure that representatives understand the benefits process, meet federal requirements and remain accountable for their conduct.

Who Can Become VA Accredited?

VA may accredit:

Attorneys
Claims agents
Representatives of recognized veterans service organizations

Veterans service organization representatives often provide claims assistance at no cost. Accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge fees in certain circumstances permitted by federal law, generally after VA has issued an initial decision and the matter has entered a review or appeal stage.

A company name, professional-looking website or claim of “veteran expertise” does not establish VA accreditation.

Accreditation applies to an individual—not simply to the business employing that person.

How to Verify Accreditation

The VA Office of General Counsel maintains an online database of accredited attorneys, claims agents and veterans service organization representatives.

To check a representative:

Open the VA accreditation search.
Select the appropriate type of representative.
Enter the individual’s name.
Review the search results carefully.
Confirm that the person’s location and contact information match the individual offering assistance.

Search the VA Accreditation Database

If the person does not appear in the database, ask for clarification before sharing records, signing an agreement or paying a fee.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Veterans should proceed cautiously when a company or consultant:

Guarantees a particular disability rating
Promises an approval or specific payment amount
Charges a large upfront fee
Demands a percentage or multiple of future benefits
Refuses to identify the accredited individual handling the claim
Pressures the veteran to sign immediately
Requests login credentials for a VA account
Directs the veteran to provide inaccurate or exaggerated information
Claims VA accreditation is unnecessary
Uses confusing contracts or does not clearly explain its fees

No representative can guarantee the outcome of a VA disability claim.

Understand the Fee Agreement

Before agreeing to paid representation, veterans should request a complete written explanation of:

The services being provided
The person responsible for the work
Whether that person is VA accredited
When fees will be charged
How the fee is calculated
Whether additional expenses may be assessed
How the agreement can be terminated
What happens if the claim is unsuccessful

Veterans should keep copies of all contracts, correspondence, invoices and records provided to the company.

A fee that is based on future benefits can become far more expensive than it initially appears.

Free Assistance May Be Available

Veterans may be able to receive free help with an initial VA claim through:

VA-accredited veterans service organizations
State and local veterans affairs offices
County or parish veterans service officers
Other recognized nonprofit organizations

Complex appeals and legal matters may require assistance from an accredited attorney or claims agent. Veterans should still verify accreditation and review the fee agreement before proceeding.

What Are “Claim Sharks”?

The term “claim shark” is commonly used by veterans advocates to describe unaccredited companies that charge veterans substantial fees for assistance with VA disability claims.

These businesses may describe their services as coaching, consulting, medical coordination or education rather than legal representation. Changing the label does not necessarily eliminate the risks.

Unaccredited companies may not be subject to the same training, oversight and accountability requirements as VA-accredited representatives.

Why MVA Is Addressing This Issue

Military-Veterans Advocacy has worked to protect veterans from predatory claims practices through litigation, legislation and public education.

In Military-Veterans Advocacy, Inc. v. Landry, a federal court struck down a Louisiana law that sought to authorize a state system for paid veterans’ claims consulting. The ruling reinforced the importance of federal standards governing claims representation.

Read About MVA’s Federal Court Victory in MVA v. Landry.

Veterans earned their benefits through service. They should not lose a significant portion of those benefits to an unqualified or unaccountable company.

Before paying anyone for VA claim assistance, verify the individual’s accreditation, understand the agreement and ask questions.

This article provides general educational information and does not constitute legal advice. Rules governing VA representation and fees depend on the circumstances of each matter.

What Evidence Can Support a VA Toxic-Exposure Claim?

Veterans exposed to burn pits, herbicides, radiation, contaminated water or other hazards during military service may be eligible for healthcare or disability benefits.

However, the evidence required for a VA toxic-exposure claim depends on the veteran’s service, diagnosed condition and whether the condition is covered by a legal presumption.

Understanding the different types of evidence can help veterans organize their records and identify information that may be missing.

The Three Basic Elements of Service Connection

For an original disability claim, VA generally looks for evidence showing:

The veteran has a current physical or mental disability.
An event, injury, illness or exposure occurred during military service.
A connection exists between the current disability and the in-service event or exposure.

Medical and military records often provide this evidence. VA may also consider statements from the veteran, fellow service members, family members or others familiar with the circumstances.

Evidence of a Current Condition

A veteran should identify medical evidence documenting the illness or disability being claimed.

This may include:

VA medical records
Private treatment records
Physician reports
Diagnostic test results
Imaging or laboratory findings
Hospital records
Medication history
Records showing the severity and progression of symptoms

A current diagnosis can be especially important when a claim involves a specific disease associated with toxic exposure.

Veterans should provide VA with enough information to locate relevant federal records and authorize access to applicable private medical records.

Evidence of Military Service

Service records can help establish where and when a veteran served.

Relevant documents may include:

DD214 or other separation documents
Military personnel records
Service treatment records
Deployment orders
Travel records
Performance evaluations
Unit histories
Ship histories
Deck logs
Flight records
Base or installation assignments

The most useful records depend on the type and location of the claimed exposure.

For example, Navy deck logs may help establish that a vessel operated within a particular geographic area. Personnel records may document assignment to a base associated with environmental hazards.

Learn Why Navy Deck Logs Matter in VA Disability Claims.

Evidence Documenting the Exposure

Some military records may directly document exposure. In other cases, veterans may need to gather different sources that help establish where, when and how the exposure occurred.

Potential evidence may include:

Official military reports
Unit or command records
Environmental studies
Government investigations
Maps and historical photographs
Records of chemical storage, use or disposal
Incident reports
Scientific or medical research
News investigations
Statements from people who witnessed the conditions

The relevance and reliability of each item will depend on the claim.

A general report showing contamination at a military installation may provide useful background, but additional evidence may still be needed to establish that the veteran was present during the relevant period.

Statements from Veterans and Witnesses

VA may consider lay evidence, including written statements from the veteran or other people with firsthand knowledge.

These are often called buddy statements or witness statements.

A useful statement may explain:

Where the veteran served
The veteran’s duties
What the person personally observed
How the exposure occurred
When symptoms began
Changes in the veteran’s health or functioning
Whether symptoms continued after service

Statements should be specific, accurate and limited to what the person personally knows. VA Form 21-10210 may be used for a formal lay or witness statement.

Medical Evidence Connecting the Condition to Service

When a condition is not legally presumed to be service connected, VA may require evidence linking the veteran’s current disability to military service.

This evidence may include medical records or an opinion from a qualified healthcare provider.

A medical opinion is generally more useful when the provider:

Reviews relevant military and medical records
Identifies the diagnosed condition
Discusses the veteran’s reported exposure
Explains the medical reasoning behind the conclusion
Addresses other potential causes
Cites relevant research when appropriate

A brief conclusion without supporting reasoning may carry less weight than a detailed opinion based on an accurate factual record.

Presumptive Conditions

For certain conditions and qualifying service, federal law allows VA to presume that the disability is related to military service.

In a presumptive claim, a veteran may not need to prove the medical connection between the exposure and diagnosed condition. The veteran will generally still need evidence showing:

A diagnosis and the severity of the condition
Qualifying military service meeting the requirements of the presumption

Presumptive benefits may apply to certain conditions associated with Agent Orange, burn pits, Gulf War service, Camp Lejeune water contamination, mustard gas or ionizing radiation.

Eligibility requirements vary. Veterans should review the current rules applicable to their service and condition.

Environmental Health Registries

VA maintains environmental health registries for veterans with certain military exposures.

A registry examination can help document health concerns and connect veterans with information about possible exposures. However, a registry examination is separate from filing a disability compensation claim and does not automatically establish entitlement to benefits.

Veterans should not assume that joining a registry files a claim on their behalf.

If Service Records Are Incomplete

Records may be missing, incomplete or unavailable decades after military service.

When this happens, veterans may be able to identify alternative evidence, such as:

Letters written during service
Photographs
Travel documents
Awards or performance evaluations
Statements from fellow service members
Historical unit or ship records
Archived government reports
Personal calendars or journals

Veterans should explain missing records and provide as much identifying information as possible to help locate alternative sources.

Start by Organizing the Evidence

A useful first step is creating a timeline containing:

Dates and locations of military service
Units, ships or installations
Duties and potential exposure events
The onset of symptoms
Medical diagnoses and treatment
Prior VA claims or decisions
Records already obtained
Records that still need to be requested

This timeline can help the veteran, an accredited representative and VA understand the claim more clearly.

Review VA’s Evidence Requirements for Disability Claims

MVA’s Work on Toxic Exposure

Military-Veterans Advocacy works to address systemic barriers affecting veterans exposed to hazardous substances during military service.

Through litigation, legislation, research and education, MVA advocates for policies that recognize exposure, improve access to benefits and ensure veterans’ claims receive fair consideration.

Explore MVA’s toxic-exposure advocacy.

Read the Okinawa Agent Orange Resources.

Learn about Gulf War Illness and VA disability.

This article provides general educational information and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Evidence requirements and eligibility depend on the facts of each individual claim and current VA rules.

How to Verify a VA-Accredited Representative