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.